Why Coastal Cities Are Sinking Faster Than Ever

Coastal cities around the world are facing a hidden crisis—and it's not just rising sea levels. In this episode, we explore why the ground beneath many of the world's largest cities is sinking faster than ever. Discover the engineering science behind land subsidence, how excessive groundwater extraction, soft soils, urban development, and resource extraction are accelerating the problem, and why cities like Jakarta, New Orleans, Shanghai, and Bangkok are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Learn how civil engineers monitor ground movement with satellite technology, GPS, and geotechnical instruments, and the innovative solutions being developed to protect our coastal infrastructure. If you're fascinated by civil engineering, architecture, construction, and the future of our cities, this episode reveals one of the greatest infrastructure challenges of the 21st century.