Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules

Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities

This master's prepares you to lead the resilient transformation of urban environments facing climate change. You will learn to assess the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure and ecosystems, to design and implement adaptation strategies based on nature and engineering, and to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, building safer, more sustainable and more liveable coastal cities.

Duration1,500 h

ModeOnline

Start1 December

Modules11

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About the program

What is the Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities?

This master's prepares you to plan and deliver climate adaptation in coastal cities exposed to sea level rise, storms and erosion. You will learn to assess exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, to model tides, waves and flooding with tools such as SWAN, Delft3D and ADCIRC, to design blue-green infrastructure and hybrid gray-green defenses, to build early warning and monitoring systems with IoT, remote sensing and GIS, and to turn this knowledge into adaptation policy, local adaptation plans, financing strategies and participatory governance.

What sets this master's apart: a multidisciplinary approach integrating engineering, urban planning, economics and social sciences; hands-on work with hydrodynamic models, GIS and climate scenarios based on IPCC AR6; strong emphasis on nature-based solutions such as dunes, wetlands, mangroves and reefs; dedicated training in public policy, climate justice, insurance and climate finance; and a Final Project that integrates nature-based solutions and innovative technology for a real coastal city.

Program typeMaster’s degree

ModeOnline

Duration1,500 hours

Modules11

Start1 December

Program highlights

Vulnerability and risk: exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity and multi-criteria prioritization.
Modeling tools: SWAN, Delft3D, ADCIRC, GIS, remote sensing and IPCC AR6 scenarios.
Nature-based solutions: dunes, wetlands, mangroves, reefs and hybrid gray-green defenses.
Early warning and monitoring: IoT sensors, data assimilation, machine learning and risk communication.
Policy and finance: adaptation plans, governance, public participation, insurance and climate funds.
Final Project: an integrated adaptation solution for a real coastal city.

Syllabus

Syllabus of the Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities

11 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Urban resilience strategies for coastal cities facing climate change

1.1. Fundamentals of urban resilience: key concepts, theoretical framework and specific features of coastal contexts
1.2. Assessing coastal vulnerability: methods for identifying climate risks and analyzing exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity
1.3. Advanced climate modeling tools for urban areas: simulating scenarios of sea level rise, extreme storms and coastal erosion
1.4. Designing and implementing blue-green infrastructure: nature-based solutions to reduce flooding and improve urban environmental quality
1.5. Integrated land use planning in coastal cities: adaptive zoning, regulation and sustainable coastal management
1.6. Early warning systems and continuous monitoring: IoT technologies, environmental sensors and data platforms for rapid response
1.7. Resilient coastal engineering strategies: breakwaters, flexible dykes, renaturalisation and hybrid solutions against extreme events
1.8. Participatory governance and inter-agency coordination: public-private collaboration models and community participation in climate planning
1.9. Economic and financial appraisal of adaptation projects: cost-benefit analysis, climate finance and green investment mechanisms
1.10. International case studies: detailed analysis of successful experiences and lessons learned in vulnerable coastal cities

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 2

Integrated risk management and coastal adaptation models under extreme climate scenarios

2.1. Fundamentals of integrated risk assessment in coastal areas: identifying, analyzing and quantifying climate hazards
2.2. Advanced hydrodynamic modeling: simulating tides, waves and extreme events under future climate scenarios
2.3. Tools and software for integrating climate and urban data into predictive models
2.4. Ecosystem-based adaptation methods: green solutions for coastal resilience and impact reduction
2.5. Designing and managing resilient infrastructure: technical criteria for adaptive coastal works against storms and sea level rise
2.6. Socio-economic vulnerability analysis and its inclusion in adaptation and risk management plans
2.7. Multi-criteria assessment for prioritizing adaptation measures in coastal urban contexts
2.8. Participatory planning and multi-scale governance: collaborative strategies for climate adaptation decision-making
2.9. Monitoring and early warning systems: integrating remote sensing, predictive models and effective communication
2.10. International case studies and lessons learned on the practical implementation of integrated coastal risk management models

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 3

Advanced urban resilience and risk modeling in coastal settings under extreme climate change

3.1. Fundamentals of urban resilience in coastal settings: key concepts, definitions and theoretical framework
3.2. Advanced climate risk modeling: integrating hydrometeorological, geospatial and socio-economic data
3.3. Assessing urban vulnerability: multi-scale analysis of critical infrastructure, ecological systems and human communities
3.4. Extreme climate change scenarios: methods for projecting impacts on sea level, storms and extreme events
3.5. Computer simulation tools: GIS software, hydro-mechanical modeling and information systems for risk management
3.6. Designing and implementing adaptive strategies: green infrastructure, gray infrastructure and integrated hybrid solutions
3.7. Inclusive planning and governance: involving local stakeholders, public policy and financing strategies for urban resilience
3.8. Continuous monitoring and evaluation: resilience metrics, performance indicators and early warning systems
3.9. International case studies: comparative analysis of coastal cities applying advanced measures against extreme climate change
3.10. Technological innovation and emerging trends: artificial intelligence, big data and IoT sensors for dynamic risk management

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 4

Blue-green infrastructure and nature-based coastal protection: design, hydrodynamic modeling and effectiveness against sea level rise

4.1. Fundamentals of blue-green infrastructure: definition, characteristics and ecosystem services in coastal settings
4.2. Designing nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation: technical criteria, selection of plant and structural elements and integration into the coastal urban fabric
4.3. Advanced hydrodynamic modeling: principles, the Navier-Stokes equations, numerical models (SWAN, Delft3D, ADCIRC) and simulation of water-land interaction under sea level rise
4.4. Assessing coastal resilience: quantitative metrics for the effectiveness of natural infrastructure in wave dissipation, erosion reduction and flood control
4.5. GIS and remote sensing for mapping and monitoring blue-green solutions: spatial analysis and calibration with satellite and drone data
4.6. Parameterising climate change scenarios: downscaled climate projections, extreme hydrometeorological events and their impact on coastal systems
4.7. Multidisciplinary design: collaboration between coastal engineering, marine biology, landscape architecture and sustainable urban planning
4.8. Adaptive design and dynamic management: incorporating environmental and socio-economic feedback to optimize solutions under climate uncertainty
4.9. International case studies: technical analysis and results of flagship blue-green infrastructure projects facing sea level rise
4.10. Regulations, standards and public policy for NbS in urban coastal areas: legal assessment, environmental permits and sustainable financing

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 5

Designing and implementing climate adaptation policy in coastal cities: governance, public participation and environmental assessment tools

5.1. Fundamentals of coastal urban climate adaptation: analysis of vulnerabilities and risks specific to coastal environments
5.2. International, national and local regulatory framework for integrated climate risk management in coastal areas
5.3. Designing public policy for urban resilience: principles, instruments and key actors
5.4. Multi-sector and multi-scale governance: inter-agency coordination and public-private partnerships in climate adaptation
5.5. Effective public participation mechanisms: inclusive methods for involving communities in decision-making
5.6. Advanced environmental assessment tools: climate modeling, environmental impact analysis and strategic assessment methods
5.7. Assessing social risks and vulnerabilities: integrated approaches to equity and environmental justice in adaptation policy
5.8. Developing and implementing urban adaptation plans: phases, monitoring indicators and evaluation of results
5.9. International case studies and best practice in governance and public policy for climate-adapted coastal cities
5.10. Technological innovation for environmental assessment and real-time monitoring: remote sensing, GIS, IoT sensors and big data

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 6

Innovation in integrated resilience strategies and natural solutions for coastal protection

6.1. Fundamentals and conceptual framework of coastal urban resilience: definitions, components and metrics for dynamic environments
6.2. Integrated climate risk assessment: analysis of hydrometeorological hazards, socio-economic vulnerability and adaptive capacity
6.3. Innovation in nature-based solutions (NbS): design, implementation and monitoring of green and blue infrastructure to reduce coastal impacts
6.4. Predictive modeling and simulation of future scenarios: integrating climate, geomorphological and human data for adaptive planning
6.5. Advanced tools for hybrid strategies: combining gray engineering with natural solutions to optimize protection and resilience
6.6. Early warning and environmental monitoring systems: sensor networks, IoT and big data techniques for coastal management
6.7. Participatory methods and multi-level governance: approaches to community inclusion, collaborative decision-making and effective public policy
6.8. Flagship cases and international comparison: successes, challenges and lessons learned in vulnerable coastal cities
6.9. International regulations and standards on coastal climate adaptation: legal frameworks, guidelines and technical protocols
6.10. Economic and financial appraisal of integrated interventions: costing, cost-benefit analysis and tools for long-term financial sustainability

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 7

Strategic planning and impact assessment for urban resilience in coastal settings

7.1. Fundamentals of strategic urban planning: key concepts, objectives and integrated processes in the coastal context
7.2. Climate risk assessment: identification and quantitative and qualitative analysis of hydrometeorological and marine hazards
7.3. Advanced methods for assessing environmental, economic and social impacts in coastal cities
7.4. Predictive modeling of climate change and its effects on urban infrastructure and coastal ecosystems
7.5. Designing and implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies based on scientific evidence and global best practice
7.6. Participatory planning tools and multi-sector governance for building community resilience
7.7. Assessing and optimizing early warning systems and emergency protocols in coastal urban areas
7.8. Integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) to strengthen adaptive capacity against extreme events
7.9. Urban resilience indicators: design, continuous monitoring and reporting for strategic decision-making
7.10. International case studies: comparative analysis and lessons learned for adaptive management in vulnerable coastal areas

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 8

Advanced monitoring and predictive modeling of hydroclimatic phenomena for coastal resilience

8.1. Fundamentals of coastal hydroclimatic dynamics: physical, chemical and biological processes in aquatic systems
8.2. Advanced instrumentation for environmental monitoring: multiparameter sensors, automatic weather stations and coastal IoT
8.3. Remote sensing and satellite systems for monitoring extreme events and climate variability
8.4. Numerical hydrodynamic and atmospheric modeling: the Navier-Stokes equations and modeling of tides, waves, wind and currents
8.5. Combining observations and predictive models: data assimilation and machine learning to improve real-time forecasts
8.6. Analyzing future climate scenarios for sea level rise, storm events and coastal erosion using IPCC AR6 and downscaled models
8.7. Geospatial visualization platforms and geographic information systems (GIS) for land management and integrated decision-making
8.8. Developing coastal resilience indicators based on hydrometeorological and socio-economic metrics
8.9. International case studies: ecosystem-based adaptation, resilient infrastructure and integrated coastal management policy
8.10. Designing and assessing hydroclimatic early warning systems: protocols, risk communication and community response

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 9

Urban resilience and natural coastal protection: integrated design, hydrodynamic modeling and effectiveness against sea level rise

9.1. Fundamentals of urban resilience in coastal contexts: definitions, principles and scope
9.2. Assessing coastal vulnerability: risk analysis for extreme events, hazard maps and socio-economic exposure
9.3. Integrated design of green and gray infrastructure: synergies between civil engineering and nature-based solutions
9.4. Ecosystem restoration and conservation: wetlands, dunes and reefs as natural barriers against sea level rise
9.5. Advanced hydrodynamic modeling: tools and software for simulating tides, waves and coastal dynamics under future scenarios
9.6. Using geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial planning and monitoring of environmental interventions
9.7. Innovation in materials and construction techniques for resilient and adaptive coastal structures
9.8. Effectiveness assessment and continuous monitoring: quantitative and qualitative indicators of strategy performance
9.9. Integrating public policy, environmental regulation and multi-scale urban planning for climate adaptation
9.10. International practical cases: critical analysis of successful projects and lessons learned in vulnerable coastal cities

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 10

Finance, governance and public participation in coastal adaptation

10.1. European funds for adaptation
10.2. International climate finance
10.3. Insurance and risk transfer
10.4. Public-private collaboration
10.5. Multi-level governance
10.6. Public participation
10.7. Climate justice and social vulnerability
10.8. Risk communication
10.9. Monitoring and evaluation
10.10. The local adaptation plan

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 11

Final Project

11.1. Introduction to the Final Project: objectives, scope and multidisciplinary methodology for integrating adaptive solutions in coastal contexts
11.2. Advanced climate risk analysis for coastal cities: assessing hazards, vulnerability and exposure to extreme events and sea level rise
11.3. Conceptual and scientific framework of nature-based solutions (NbS): principles, ecosystem functions and socio-environmental benefits
11.4. Designing and implementing green and blue infrastructure: restoring mangroves, coastal dunes, intertidal wetlands and artificial reefs
11.5. Integrating innovative technology for climate adaptation: IoT sensors, predictive modeling, early warning systems and real-time monitoring
11.6. Co-creation and community participation in coastal adaptation projects: governance tools, social inclusion and effective science communication
11.7. Economic and financial appraisal of hybrid solutions: cost-benefit analysis, climate finance and incentive mechanisms for urban resilience
11.8. Strategic planning for integrated resilience: adaptive management, future scenarios and evidence-based public policy
11.9. International case studies and replicable strategies: comparative analysis of successful interventions in cities facing similar coastal challenges
11.10. Technical writing and professional presentation of the Final Project: structure, APA style, advanced graphics and oral defense before a specialist panel

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities

It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

Hours per week

4 h30 h

With 12 h per week

months to finish

125 weeks

weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance

Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints

Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator

Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory

Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator

Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator

Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line

Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator

Objectives

Objectives of the Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities

01Design resilient strategies for sea level rise, including early warning systems and evacuation protocols that prioritize vulnerable communities and key coastal ecosystems.

02Assess the climate vulnerability of urban infrastructure, identifying and prioritizing critical assets through risk assessment methods and climate modeling tools.

03Implement nature-based solutions for coastal protection, such as dune systems and restored coastal wetlands, to reduce erosion and protect infrastructure.

04Manage coastal risks through predictive modeling, using wave, tide and bathymetry data to calibrate flood and erosion models.

05Promote public participation in climate adaptation through effective communication strategies that raise awareness and mobilize local communities.

06Develop urban policies for climate mitigation, encouraging smart densification, sustainable building materials and the retrofit of existing buildings.

Careers

Career opportunities after the Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities

01Urban climate adaptation specialistdesigning and implementing adaptation strategies in coastal cities.

02Climate change consultantadvising companies and public bodies on risk assessment and adaptation planning.

03Adaptation project managerleading and coordinating climate adaptation projects in coastal urban areas.

04Public administration officerdeveloping and implementing climate adaptation policy for coastal cities.

05Urban resilience specialistanalyzing and improving the resilience of coastal cities to extreme climate events.

06Sustainability managerimplementing sustainable policies and practices in companies operating in coastal areas.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Master's in Climate Adaptation of Coastal Cities

Adapting coastal cities to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, more frequent and intense extreme events and coastal erosion.

Mainly on adaptation to climate impacts, although urban mitigation measures such as smart densification and building retrofit are also covered.

You work with hydrodynamic models such as SWAN, Delft3D and ADCIRC, GIS and remote sensing, and downscaled climate scenarios based on IPCC AR6.

Yes. Several modules deal with blue-green infrastructure, dunes, wetlands, mangroves and reefs, and how to combine them with gray engineering.

Yes. You study adaptation policy, governance, public participation, climate justice, insurance and risk transfer, European and international climate finance and local adaptation plans.

A background in architecture, engineering, environmental sciences or geography helps, but professionals from public administration and consultancy are welcome; the admission interview confirms your fit.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The master's comprises 1,500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each and ends with the Final Project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements

Profile: architects and urban planners, civil and environmental engineers, local and regional government officers responsible for climate adaptation, consultants and private sector professionals, and graduates in environmental sciences, geography, oceanography or marine biology. A degree in a related field or proven experience in coastal management, urban planning or climate adaptation is recommended.
Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and GIS software (free tools are sufficient).
Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.

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