We analyze the escalating structural failures of buildings along Alexandria’s 70 km coastline, primarily attributed to sea level rise. The combination of severe shoreline retreat and rising sea levels accelerates seawater intrusion, compromising the mechanical properties of the ground and degrading the foundations of buildings. Notably, over 7,000 structures adjacent to the old city coastline are at risk of collapse, positioning Alexandria as the most climate-vulnerable Mediterranean metropolitan sector. Parallel trends are observed in other coastal cities in emerging nations experiencing recent hydroclimatic alterations without comprehensive mitigation strategies. We propose cost-effective and ecologically sound techniques for coastal landscape adaptation to effectively mitigate these risks in Alexandria and other cities confronting similar climatic challenges.