Resilient Synergy between Urbanization and Blue Economy in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) under Climate Change: A Case Study of Maldives and Seychelles

Abstract:

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique challenges in balancing urbanization, blue economy development, and climate resilience—their small land area, high population density, and economic dependence on marine resources make them extremely vulnerable to climate shocks. This study takes Maldives (capital: Malé) and Seychelles (capital: Victoria) as cases, constructing a SIDS-specific resilience assessment framework (including spatial constraint, economic concentration, and external dependence dimensions) based on panel data (2019–2024) and policy text analysis. Results show: (1) Both countries have low overall resilience (average score 0.32), with Malé (0.29) and Victoria (0.35) facing distinct risks—Maldives struggles with land scarcity and overcrowding, while Seychelles grapples with tourism-fisheries competition; (2) "Compact urbanization" and "community-led blue economy" are effective local adaptation paths; (3) External aid and regional cooperation account for 40% of resilience investment, highlighting dependence on international support. Policy recommendations include promoting "blue-green compact cities," establishing SIDS-specific climate funds, and strengthening regional technology sharing to enhance resilient synergy.