Coastal Planning Lessons from Brazil and Spain

This Global Perspectives blog series draws from a curated collection of over 75 influential urban planning journals published worldwide, meticulously compiled to foster global communication and enrich collaborative planning discourse. By highlighting groundbreaking research, innovative methodologies, and case studies from diverse contexts — spanning each continent — these posts aim to facilitate knowledge transfer, explore cutting-edge developments, and share contextually relevant solutions that address shared urban challenges and shape the future of planning practice.

Coastal regions are dynamic hubs that attract tourism, infrastructure, and residents. Yet, with climate change and urban pressures mounting, planners must navigate the challenge of fostering economic growth while ensuring environmental and social sustainability. This blog examines coastal development approaches in Brazil and Spain, providing lessons for planners globally.

Brazil: Tourism-Centric Development and Its Ripple Effects

Tourism drives coastal development in Brazil's Southern Pernambuco region. Through initiatives like PRODETUR/NE, the government has allocated around 75 million reais (approximately USD 13M) to enhance infrastructure, such as water systems, tourist signage, and cycling paths (Barbosa and Santos, 2024).

These efforts have boosted real estate and upgraded facilities in tourist zones. However, this tourism-first approach has trade-offs. While visitor areas flourish, nearby residential zones often lack adequate housing and services.

Among the region's municipalities, only Cabo de Santo Agostinho has a Local Social Interest Housing Plan, highlighting a focus on tourism over broader community needs.

The ripple effects are clear: economic gains come at the expense of equitable growth. Planners see thriving tourist hubs but also rising housing shortages and strained local resources. This imbalance raises questions about long-term sustainability in Brazil's coastal communities.

Spain: Ecological Restoration Through Strategic De-Urbanization

Spain takes a different tack, emphasizing ecological restoration along its coasts. After decades of heavy urbanization, planners now confront climate challenges like rising sea levels and storm surges. Their response? "De-urbanization" and "renaturalization" — dismantling outdated or illegal structures to revive natural ecosystems (Romero-Martínez and Romero-Padilla, 2024).

A standout case is Cap Creus Natural Park (1998–2010), where 440 tourist facilities were removed, paving the way for habitat recovery. This process balances five dimensions — legal, economic, cultural, social, and ecological — creating a balanced and interconnected framework.

For instance, legal enforcement enables ecological restoration, while economic savings can fund social programs or cultural preservation efforts. This multi-dimensional strategy ensures that coastal management is not just about fixing one problem but about achieving sustainability, equity, and resilience across all aspects of society and the environment.

It's a holistic effort to undo past mistakes, like overdevelopment, and build a future where human and natural systems thrive together.

The approach reflects a shift toward proactive environmental management. By clearing obsolete infrastructure, Spain's planners restore ecological health and build resilience against climate threats. Cap Creus demonstrates how de-urbanization can yield tangible benefits, from biodiversity gains to improved coastal stability.

Global Lessons for Planners

The experiences of Brazil and Spain offer valuable insights for coastal management worldwide.

• Integrate Community and Economic Goals: Infrastructure investments should serve both tourists and residents. Addressing housing and service gaps alongside tourism development prevents lopsided growth.
• Build Climate Resilience: Coastal plans must account for rising seas and extreme weather. Adaptive designs or restoration projects can safeguard communities and ecosystems.
• Collaborate Widely: Engage residents, environmentalists, and policymakers to develop strategies that endure. Broad input ensures solutions reflect diverse needs and priorities.

These principles can steer planners toward coastal regions that prosper economically while remaining sustainable and equitable. Whether prioritizing tourism or restoration, the key lies in anticipating long-term impacts and balancing competing demands.

Top image: iStock/Getty Images Plus/ Anderson Coelho