Waterfront 4.0: Landscape and Coastal Regeneration

Coastal areas are complex territorial systems where natural processes and anthropogenic pressures interact, generating vulnerable yet culturally significant landscapes. While remaining attractive for tourism and urban development, they are among the areas most exposed to the impacts of climate change, requires resilient and adaptive planning approaches. This study assesses vegetation-related environmental changes associated with the regeneration of the Portici Maritime Park, Italy, through a comparison of Sentinel-2 Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data acquired before and after the intervention. Mean NDVI decreased from approximately 0.245 in 2018 to 0.167 in 2026, indicating a reduction in vegetation-related conditions associated with the conversion of previously vegetated or partially vegetated surfaces into paved areas. Based on this empirical evidence and on the environmental characteristics of the site, the study proposes the integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), including permeable surfaces, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), multifunctional Mediterranean and halophytic green strips, and ecological nourishment. These measures are framed within the proposed Waterfront 4.0 concept, which integrates ecological regeneration, digital environmental monitoring, participatory governance, and adaptive management. By linking ex-post remote-sensing assessment with NBS-oriented planning, the study provides a conceptual and case-study-based approach for improving the climate resilience and ecological performance of highly urbanized Mediterranean waterfronts.