Management of coastal mega-cities - a new challenge in the 21st century

This paper aims at addressing the issue of coastal mega-cities as a new challenge in the integrated coastal management in the 21st century. The paper first gives a background introduction to the importance of coastal mega-cities in the ICM. It then summarizes the country practices in the management of coastal mega-cities. The main outcomes of the IOC-SOA international workshop on coastal mega-cities are also provided, including the main contents of the Hangzhou Declaration. In the conclusion, recommendations are made as to how to follow up the issue of coastal mega-cities in the years to come. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.