An integrated satellite characterization and hydrodynamic study in assessing coastal dynamics in Cirebon, West Java

Located on the northern coast of Java Island, the coastal area of Cirebon is an area with rapid population growth and extensively developed as settlement areas, industrial estates, fisheries, agriculture, and public service infrastructures. Coastal dynamics issues have been occurring in the coastal area of Cirebon, which is characterized by significant changes in shoreline position. Moreover, some critical infrastructures are not functioning properly and may cause high maintenance costs and economic loss to the related stakeholders. This study aims to provide a greater understanding of the coastal dynamics along the 73.16 km of Cirebon shoreline through remote sensing and GIS methods supported by hydrodynamic analysis. This study applied coastal characterization, coastal structure identifications, and coastal processes assessments, including erosion and accretion analysis, hydrodynamic and tidal analysis, and inundation projection. The study indicates that some areas have been subject to significant erosion and accretion during the last two decades, with the total lengths of the eroded and accreted shoreline being −21.9 km (35.6%) and ＋39.6 km (64.4%), respectively. Furthermore, the coastal structures significantly influence the coastline’s dynamic and mitigate the negative impacts of coastal floods. Jetty access channels in the west area have caused partial coastal erosion, while the breakwaters in the east area accelerated sedimentation processes and improved the growth of mangroves simultaneously. This study also simulated the potentially inundated areas by 2050 in four scenarios based on projected sea level rise, land subsidence, and extreme wave events. Policies to prevent such potential hazards are needed to avoid negative impacts on the living quality and vital economic sectors. This study provides insight into coastal characterization, potential coastal hazards, and their driving processes in time and space scale for coastal adaptation planning policies and sustainable coastal hazard management and mitigation.