Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Sea Level Rise and Managed Retreat
Prepares you to tackle one of the hardest decisions in coastal adaptation: when and how to withdraw in an orderly way from the most exposed areas. You will study sea level rise projections and their uncertainty, risk assessment…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts9 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Sea Level Rise and Managed Retreat?
The Diploma in Sea Level Rise and Managed Retreat
Prepares you to tackle one of the hardest decisions in coastal adaptation: when and how to withdraw in an orderly way from the most exposed areas. You will study sea level rise projections and their uncertainty, risk assessment, dynamic adaptation pathways and the legal, financial and social instruments of managed retreat, with particular attention to fairness and to the involvement of the communities affected.
Key advantages
- An emerging field: An adaptation strategy increasingly found in coastal plans.
- Scientific grounding: IPCC projections and managing uncertainty.
- Social focus: Fairness, participation and the wellbeing of affected communities.
- Practical instruments: Legal, planning and financial tools.
- Case study: A retreat strategy for a real coastal area.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand sea level: Interpret sea level rise projections and scenarios.
- Assess risk: Identify exposed areas, assets and people.
- Plan adaptation: Design adaptation pathways with decision thresholds.
- Manage the transition: Apply legal, financial and social instruments.
- Boost your career: Specialise in coastal adaptation for public bodies and consultancies.
- Train to plan the adaptation of coasts to a rising sea with rigour and sensitivity.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Sea Level Rise
- Causes of sea level rise
- Tide gauge and satellite observations
- IPCC projections
- Low-likelihood, high-impact scenarios
- Regional variation and subsidence
- Storm surges and extremes
- Planning time horizons
- Managing uncertainty
02
Coastal Risk in Low-Lying Areas
- Hazard, exposure and vulnerability
- Permanent and episodic flooding
- Erosion and shoreline retreat
- Saltwater intrusion into aquifers
- Critical infrastructure and services
- Social vulnerability
- Risk mapping
- Coastal risk indicators
03
Coastal Adaptation Strategies
- Protection with engineered works
- Accommodation and adapted buildings
- Advancing seawards
- Managed retreat
- Nature-based solutions
- Combining strategies
- The limits of protection
- Maladaptation
04
Adaptation Pathways and Decision-Making
- The dynamic adaptive pathways approach
- Thresholds and tipping points
- Signposts and monitoring
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Multi-criteria analysis
- Decision-making under deep uncertainty
- Flexibility and real options
- Periodic review of plans
05
Legal and Planning Instruments
- Public coastal land and rolling setbacks
- Land-use restrictions
- Risk classification and zoning
- Conditional and time-limited permissions
- Compulsory purchase and voluntary acquisition
- Transfer of development rights
- Rolling easements
- Liability of public bodies
06
Funding and Economic Aspects
- The cost of inaction
- Valuing exposed assets
- Voluntary buyout programmes
- Public adaptation funding
- Insurance and retreat
- Effects on property values
- The local tax base
- Funding relocation
07
Social Dimension and Participation
- Place attachment and identity
- Equity and climate justice
- Vulnerable communities
- Cultural heritage at risk
- Designing participatory processes
- Communicating risk
- Psychosocial support
- Community relocation
08
Case Study: Managed Retreat Strategy
- Choosing the coastal area
- Analysing local projections
- Risk assessment
- Stakeholder map
- Comparing alternatives
- Designing the adaptation pathway
- Instruments and funding
- Presenting the strategy
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Coastal, planning and environmental officers: working in public administration Climate risk and adaptation consultants: who advise coastal councils Urban planners and geographers: who plan exposed areas Lawyers and public managers: working on coastal planning NGO and community professionals: who support coastal communities
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Interpret sea level projections
- 02Assess coastal risk
- 03Compare adaptation strategies
- 04Design adaptation pathways
- 05Apply retreat instruments
- 06Manage the social dimension
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Coastal adaptation officer: Adaptation plans in local and regional government.
02Climate risk consultant: Risk studies and retreat strategies.
03Spatial planner: Building coastal risk into land-use planning.
04Relocation programme manager: Coordinating voluntary buyouts and moves.
05Participation specialist: Community adaptation processes.
06Climate policy analyst: Designing and evaluating adaptation policy.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It is the planned, anticipatory relocation of people, property and infrastructure away from the most exposed coastal areas, as part of an adaptation strategy.
No. Retreat is studied as one option alongside protection and accommodation, so the most suitable combination can be chosen for each place.
It covers general principles and experience from several countries; the specific legal instruments depend on the rules of each jurisdiction.
No. You will learn to interpret projections and risk maps, not to build models.
A managed retreat strategy for a real coastal area, with risk analysis, alternatives, instruments and funding.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Sea Level Rise and Managed Retreat qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in geography, urban planning, architecture, engineering, environmental science, law, social science or a related field; or professional experience in coastal management or climate adaptation. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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