Creating Resilient Communities

...through holistic planning and adaptive management.

A resilient coastal community is one in which residents understand coastal hazards and potential impacts and are prepared to respond to these factors with timely and holistic management strategies.
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The Initiative

This initiative offers citizens a unique opportunity to build on current planning activities and integrate the results in a more holistic vision of our communities and region —and to identify management strategies responsive and adaptive to future challenges —key elements of resilient communities.

We know that our coastal communities are vulnerable to hazards such as hurricanes, storm surge and flooding.  In the future, climate change may make impacts from these hazards even worse.  We also know that our region is growing very rapidly. To guide future population growth and land development, and to maintain the overall health of our region, we need to protect our neighborhoods and important natural areas, and to avoid developing in areas vulnerable to natural hazards.

This initiative will help communities in our region prepare to resist damages from hurricanes, storm surge and floods, including loss of property, income and lives. The project will help area residents make informed decisions about where land should be developed to avoid putting people and property at risk. And it will help communities take action to conserve natural areas, like marshes and floodplains, so they can continue to protect our coastal neighborhoods,   regional economy and quality of life.
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BCD Region

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The Resilient Communities Approach

Accomplishing the goals of this initiative will require local and regional leaders committed to a shared vision of the region’s future; informed and engaged citizens; and an open, consensus-building process.

The Process…

Most successful projects bring together a variety of viewpoints, experience, and knowledge. This project will identify and disseminate information about best environmental practices and engage residents in leadership positions and working groups.

The Methods…

The initiative will map regional resources and identify vulnerable neighborhoods and facilities. It will identify areas at risk from natural hazards and conservation areas that may help to mitigate hazards’ impacts. Project support teams will use computer applications to help residents visualize alternative future scenarios, compare impacts from the different development-conservation alternatives, and select preferred scenarios.