ABSTRACT: Coastal hazard zoning plan in a climate change context, Percé, Canada.

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Abstract

Because of the human infrastructures, coastal hazards, like erosion and coastal flooding, are a major concern for eastern Quebec (Canada) where municipalities are historically established near the shorelines. The actual climate change and the modifications that it induces will likely increase the intensity of these hazards. Minimizing risks by not authorizing new buildings inhazard affected areas, making a zoning plan, is the first step to adapt to climate change conditions. In this project, the municipality of Percé (eastern Canada) and its 57 km coastline was chosen to improve the present zoning plan and make it more efficient. An analysis of the historic evolution of the land use was made with 5 aerial photographic series from 1934 to 2001 to determine the impact of the previous management measures. Since 1934, coastal risks haveincreased, in particular because of changes in the buildings functions (previous fishing buildings vs present touristic ones). It was also observed that even with new laws implementation in 1987 and 1989, more buildings and roads are at risk compared with the 70’s. Using a GIS, a comparison of different possible zoning plans was made with the location of the coastlineprojected in 2050. The results show that the actual zoning plan, resulting from the Quebec law on environment quality, is not adapted to the spatial variability of the physical characteristics of this coastline. In fact the law applies a uniform unconstructible zone while the intensity of erosion is variable along the coast, so the law allows constructions to be built in hazardous areas and hinders development at other places. A new zoning strategy is proposed that takes into account the natural parameters of the coastline and the future hydro-climatic conditions.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology