Over a billion people worldwide live within 10km of a coast; a colossal pressure placed on the narrow ribbons where the land meets the sea. Human activity renders coasts vulnerable, whether through industrial fishing and its infrastructures or overtourism and unchecked development. From Manhattan’s post-Sandy flood defences to Kongjian Yu’s sponge city, designing at the frontline of hydrological disaster has become an increasingly pressing issue for architects featured in this issue. Yet, in some instances, no seawall – however high – can keep the ocean at bay. Read the full editorial
