This study explores the adaptive capacity to flooding in urban coastal communities of La Paz district, Philippines, by assessing key determinants: economic resources and capital, technology, infrastructure services and planning, information and skills, institutions and governance, equity and social capital; and the influence of related enablers and barriers. A mixed-methods approach, including interviews, focus group discussions and the analytic hierarchy process, was used to evaluate and weigh these determinants and construct indices to measure adaptive capacity. An analysis shows that adaptive capacity varies across La Paz communities, with institutions, infrastructure and information and skills being of the most relative importance. Though the overall adaptive capacity is rated medium, communities in barangays (smallest administrative units) Tabuc Suba, Magsaysay Village and Rizal are especially vulnerable due to high flood exposure and access to limited resources. As flood risk is projected to increase globally, enhancing the capacities of both highly and less exposed communities remains crucial.
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