Coastal erosion and resilience in Agrigento

The Agrigento coastline in Sicily is facing significant threats from erosion, affecting over 140 kilometers of beaches, cliffs, and infrastructure such as the Kaos district. Local experts and architects have called for urgent intervention from municipal and regional administrations to protect the coastline and integrate it with historical and archaeological resources to support the local economy. In response to these environmental challenges, Agrigento has joined an international network of coastal cities through the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition. Following discussions at the 4th Climate Mobility Summit in New York, the city aims to collaborate with other locations, such as Venice and Larnaca, to share strategies and secure international funding for climate adaptation and infrastructure projects designed to combat rising sea levels. Recent findings presented at a seminar organized by the Order of Architects of Agrigento indicate that 104 kilometers of the province’s 140-kilometer coastline are now at high or very high risk of erosion. Alfonso Cimino, president of the Order of Architects of Agrigento, stated that while resources exist, there is a “critical lack of necessary projects and interventions” to safeguard the area. Rino Beringheli, director general of the regional Department of the Environment, noted that municipalities must develop concrete strategies through synergy to address planning shortages. Regional Minister Giusi Savarino reported that €77 million in FESR resources have been reprogrammed for coastal erosion interventions, alongside €58 million from MASE for hydrogeological risk mitigation. However, she noted that many local municipalities lack the technical staff to draft necessary plans, leading to low participation in funding calls.