Wetlands are some of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on earth. They are transitional systems that provide a multitude of benefits for both natural and urban adjoining sites and link simultaneously to all Sustainable Development Goals. Coastal wetlands, in particular, are well recognized as providing multiple valuable ecosystem services such as coastal protection, carbon storage, habitat provision and support for local fisheries and many others. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are steadily declining across the globe, an effect resulting from a combination of factors including sea level rise, population increase and its associated urban growth. The research targets existing gaps in the local implementation of high-level policies and theoretical frameworks as well as focusing on a coastal urban and ecosystem typology that is, on one hand, acutely pressured by climate change effects, population growth and rapid urbanisation and, on the other hand, has a high impact potential. To address these issues, the thesis focuses on small scale coastal development adjoining wetland conservation areas. Its key aim is to examine how urban development can better integrate, support and enhance ecosystem processes and services while allowing for the growth of both natural and urban environments and, implicitly, a more sustainable future context. [...]