Nature-based solutions for coastal ecological restoration during rapid urbanization process under strategic planing and policy support: Case study of Chaoyang Port Coast, Weihai City, China

In Anthropocene, human activities have caused a lasting, substantial and often irreversible changes to the earth system. Coastal erosion and inundation are natural hazards that threaten the safety of humans’ properties and lives. Adaptive actions to combat coastal erosion generally rely on single method of Nature-based solutions (Nbs)—hard structures, soft engineering, or vegetation. However, instances of multiple Nbs being employed together are seldom studied, particularly in morphologically complex coasts. This paper briefly reviews the current governmental policy context in China (at national, provincial and urban levels) for climate adaptation in coastal zones and presents a local implementation process involving multiple Nbs applications at Chaoyang Port Coast in Weihai city. The analysis reveals that integrated policies and city orientation drive the coastline protection and necessitate the adoption of nature-based solutions. It also demonstrates that integrated management measures (including beach remediation, gabion seawalls, and coastal shelter belts) can create a relatively stronger ecological disaster risk reduction system in morphologically complex coastal regions. Furthermore, the paper discusses the impacts of strategic planning and policies on coastal environment, technical advancements for coastal protection, and future challenge for sustainable development. Recommendations for ensuring the success of long-term coastal environment recovery include sustained political support, active public participation in local economic growth, and the advancement of Nbs technologies. Through insights from coastal management policies and nature-based solutions, our study not only highlights China’s commitment to environment governance but also provides a practical paradigm for shoreline management applicableto coastal cities in China and other coastal nations worldwide.