The Effect of Coastal City Development on Flood Damage in South Korea

Flood damage continues to be an issue in coastal cities. Impervious areas that contribute to flood damage are increasing due to the continuous development of ports in cities. However, previous research has not explored development in port hinterlands and in the coastal flood risk areas of coastal cities. Therefore, this study analyzed the impact of coastal city development on flood damage in Korea. A panel Tobit analysis was conducted on 58 coastal cities between 2002 and 2018. The results revealed that a 1% increase in impervious surfaces and one coastal development permit would increase damage costs by 1.29% and 2%, respectively. The analysis revealed that the increasing development of coastal cities had a significant impact on flood damage. The findings suggest that land-use plans highlight a conflict between port development and safety. This article provides insight that can be used by policy makers to manage risk areas near ports.