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Article Type

Review

Subject Area

Marine Economy

Corresponding Author

Noura H. S. Hassan

Corresponding Author ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2280-4865

Abstract

Coastal tourism has become a major driver of economic growth and urban development across Mediterranean coastal regions. However, rapid tourism expansion and coastal reclamation have intensified pressures on fragile marine and coastal ecosystems, creating complex trade-offs between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. This review synthesizes current scientific evidence on the environmental, economic, and social implications of tourism investments and coastal reclamation along the Alexandria Corniche, Egypt.

A structured literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed publications, institutional reports, and international policy documents retrieved from major scientific databases and authoritative organizations. The evidence was synthesized through an interdisciplinary framework integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions within the context of the Blue Economy and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

The reviewed literature indicates that tourism investments have improved coastal infrastructure, enhanced destination attractiveness, stimulated commercial activities, and supported local economic growth. However, coastal reclamation and shoreline engineering have altered sediment transport, shoreline morphology, hydrodynamic processes, marine habitats, and ecosystem services, with implications for biodiversity, fisheries, and long-term coastal resilience. The review also highlights that the socioeconomic benefits of tourism development are unevenly distributed, emphasizing the need for social equity, stakeholder participation, and adaptive governance.

Comparisons with other Mediterranean coastal cities demonstrate that sustainable coastal tourism depends on integrated planning approaches that balance economic development with environmental conservation and climate resilience. The review identifies key research priorities, including long-term environmental monitoring, interdisciplinary assessments, ecosystem-service valuation, stakeholder engagement, and the wider application of Marine Spatial Planning and nature-based solutions.

Overall, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of tourism-driven coastal transformation along the Alexandria Corniche and offers evidence-based recommendations to support sustainable coastal management. The findings contribute to the growing Blue Economy literature and provide practical guidance for policymakers, researchers, and coastal managers in Mediterranean coastal cities

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