INTRODUCTION THE COASTAL AT RISK INDEX IN THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA AREA

Abstract

The recent theory of the coastal risk index (C@R) represents a theory, whose approach is based on a series of indicators targeting natural and anthropic processes. These indicators aim to assess the risk of coastal areas exposed to natural hazards (sea level rise, storms, floods etc.). Also, the coastal risk index assesses the degradation of coastal resources and the factors that favor this phenomenon. The C@R index was developed with a special emphasis on coastal and environmental risks and is based on the World Risk Index concept [1]. At the level of the Romanian coastal area, a master plan for protecting the coastal area has been adopted since 2011, a document that has generated several shore protection solutions. During 2014-2017, hard type protection works were carried out in the areas considered the most vulnerable in terms of coastal erosion [2]. The present paper aims to analyze the introduction of a modern risk assessment system by applying the C@R index, at the level of the Romanian coastal area. The purpose of this tool is to help and inform decision makers at all levels about the existing risks, so that they can find solutions to reduce these risks.