Losing Cities: Metropolises at Risk of Disappearing Due to Climate Change

Social Aspect: The Water Rises, the Earth Remains Silent, and People Wait...
The entire world is talking about climate change. But climate change is not just about weather — it means the transformation of cities, lives, history, and the future.
Already, some metropolises — cities with millions of inhabitants — are facing the real threat of "disappearing" due to rising sea levels, soil erosion, heatwaves, and the risk of floods.

These cities are not only losing geographically, but also in terms of human and cultural value.

Academic Aspect: Why Are Cities Disappearing and What Are We Facing?

The impact of climate change on cities is linked to several key factors:

• Rising sea levels – Melting polar ice caps cause the sea to engulf coastal cities.

• Erosion and soil loss – Landslides, heavy rain, and flooding destabilize the land.

• Floods and inundation – Extreme weather events (floods, hurricanes) are becoming more intense due to climate change.

• Decreasing freshwater resources – Urban access to drinking water is under threat.

• Urban heat island effect – Large cities are 2–5°C warmer than surrounding rural areas.

• Population displacement (climate migration) – People are fleeing regions that have become uninhabitable.

Scientific Research:
NASA and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warn that by the end of the 21st century, sea levels could rise by more than 1 meter.

That means hundreds of coastal cities could disappear from the map.

Public Aspect: 10 Megacities Under Threat of Disappearing

1. Jakarta, Indonesia
   – The fastest-sinking city in the world
   – Water level rises 10–20 cm per year
   – Half the population already lives “below sea level”
   – Indonesia has decided to move its capital

2. Venice, Italy
   – A city born on water is drowning in it
   – Annual sea level rise: 4–6 mm
   – Being protected by the MOSE flood barrier project

3. New York, USA
   – Manhattan is at risk of flooding
   – Hurricane Sandy in 2012 exposed this threat
   – In the future, subways, power lines, and sewer systems may go underwater

4. Alexandria, Egypt
   – A 0.5m rise in sea level could flood 30% of the city
   – More than 1.5 million people could lose their homes
   – Archaeological and cultural heritage is also at risk

5. Lagos, Nigeria
   – Population over 24 million
   – Flooding has become a regular part of life during rainy seasons
   – As sea levels rise, villages disappear, and the city has nowhere to retreat

6. Tuvalu (not a city, but an entire country)
   – Island nation only 3 meters above sea level
   – Could be fully underwater by 2050
   – Tuvalu is already planning to become a digital-only nation

7. Bangkok, Thailand
   – Land is subsiding as sea levels rise
   – Sewage system collapses and rising surface waters are creating hazards
   – Often referred to as the “sinking metropolis of Asia”

8. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
   – Located in the Mekong Delta
   – Parts of the city lie 1.5 meters below sea level
   – People are forced to migrate after each major flood

9. Rotterdam, Netherlands
   – Sits 6 meters below sea level
   – Protected by sophisticated levees and water systems
   – But increasing water pressure is challenging these defenses

10. Kolkata, India
    – Likely to become a major target for future climate migration
    – Sudden floods and sewage system failures place the city at serious risk

Research Aspect: Facts, Figures, and Future Projections

• IPCC: If global temperatures rise beyond 2°C, life will become difficult in regions inhabited by up to 2 billion people

• Sea level has risen 20 cm in the past 100 years

• UN-Habitat: By 2050, 70% of the global population will live in cities — making them more vulnerable

• Climate migration: By 2030, nearly 250 million people may be displaced due to climate reasons

This shows that the disappearance of cities is not just a loss of land, but also a loss of history and culture.

Recommendations: What Can Be Done to Prevent Losing?

• Urban planning must align with climate models:
  – New buildings should be constructed in safe zones
  – Coastal infrastructure must be reinforced

• Technological systems against rising water must be developed:
  – Flood-resistant metro systems, levees
  – Models from cities like Rotterdam and Tokyo can serve as examples

• Increase “green zones” in cities:
  – More trees, parks, and cooling infrastructure

• Legal status for climate migrants must be established:
  – A globally recognized category of “climate refugee” is needed

• Education and awareness are crucial:
  – People must be informed about the risks in their local environment

Final Word: Cities Are Disappearing — What Are We Doing?

Vanishing cities are not just about changing geography — they represent human tragedies.
Each of these cities carries thousands of years of culture, memory, love, and effort.

If we don’t act today, tomorrow may be too late.
Remember: when cities are lost, humanity loses.