A New Methodology for Coastal Erosion Risk Assessment. Case Study: Calabria Region

The coastal environment is a dynamic system shaped by both natural processes and human activities. In recent decades, increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change—manifested through sea-level rise and more frequent extreme events—have accelerated coastal retreat, highlighting the need for improved management strategies and standardized tools for coastal risk assessment. Existing approaches remain highly heterogeneous, differing in structure, input data, and the range of factors considered. To address this gap, this study proposes an index-based methodology of general validity designed to quantify coastal erosion risk through the combined analysis of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure factors. The approach was developed for multi-scale and multi-risk applications and implemented across 54 representative sites along the Calabrian coast in southern Italy, demonstrating strong adaptability and robustness for regional-scale assessments. Results reveal marked spatial variability in coastal risk, with the Tyrrhenian sector exhibiting the highest values due to the combined effects of energetic wave conditions and intense anthropogenic pressure. The proposed framework can be easily integrated into open-access GIS platforms to support evidence-based planning and decision-making, offering practical value for public administrations and stakeholders, and providing a flexible, accessible tool for integrated coastal risk management.