Sustainable Adaptive Gradients in the Coastal Environment (SAGE RCN): Reconceptualizing the Role of Infrastructure in Resilience

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1 Sustainable Adaptive Gradients in the Coastal Environment (SAGE RCN): Reconceptualizing the Role of Infrastructure in Resilience Melissa A. Kenney Environmental Decision Support Science Lab Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center University of Maryland, College Park

2 Sustainable Adaptive Gradients in the coastal Environment (SAGE): Reconceptualizing Resilient Infrastructure NSF PIs: Elisabeth Hamin (UMass Amherst, Regional Planning), Don DeGroot (UMass Amherst, Civil and Environmental Engineering), Melissa Kenney (Univ of Maryland, Decision Science), Thomas Sheahan (Northeastern, Civil and Environmental Engineering). Objective: To develop a transdisciplinary network of researchers and policymakers elucidate a shared framework for better informing resilient infrastructure decisions based on physical, natural, and societal conditions. Connecting these insights will allow us to assess what information is most needed for policy-makers to equitably identify infrastructure options, including green, grey, social, and natural options, and to coordinate research to develop that information. Case Study Locations: Caribbean and U.S. Northeast. Funded by: NSF Research Collaboration Network (RCN): Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES). Award Number: ICER Project period: 1/ /2018.

3 Hurricane Harvey Between $150 and $200 billion in damages and 82 deaths. Image source: Damages source: Deaths source: -mass-casualties-have-absolutely-not-happened/2017/09/14/bff3ffea e7-87fc-c3f7ee4035c9_story.html?utm_term=.c41eb7998d68

4 Hurricane Maria Between $45 and $90 billion in damages and 48 deaths for Puerto Rico. Image source: Damages source: Deaths source:

5 Hurricane Irma - U.S. Virgin Islands Between $50 and $100 billion dollars in damages and 24 deaths in the Caribbean. Image source: Death Source: Damages Source

6 Hurricane Irma - Puerto Rico Day 28 81% of Puerto Rico is without power 31% without drinking water, with people drinking at toxic waste sites Image Source: Facts per Eric Holthaus

7 In a nutshell Resilient coasts require a more holistic consideration of adaptation options 2. Adaptation gradients is an approach to consider and assess a broader range of resilience objectives when planning or evaluating adaptation projects 3. Gradient case studies were used to both evaluate projects and develop the framework; provides a systematic approach for cross-case study comparisons

8 Resilient Infrastructure: Building Back Stronger and Smarter

9 Resilient Infrastructure Solutions Natural and Nature-Based (Green) Includes ecosystem-based approaches which may preserve long-standing natural processes or create/mimic such systems through modification of natural structures, vegetation plantings, and watershed management. Dune-stabilizing coastal vegetation Rockley Beach, Barbados SAGE Workshop, 2017 EXAMPLES: Dunes and beaches, vegetated features, oyster and coral reefs, barrier Islands, constructed wetlands, and floodable parks Structural (Grey) Includes man-made structures designed to decrease shoreline erosion or reduce coastal risks associated with wave damage and flooding. EXAMPLES: Levees, Storm Surge Barriers, Seawalls and Revetments, Groins, and Detached Breakwaters Groins for wave reduction New York City, USA SAGE Field Trip, 2014 Workshop

10 Resilient Infrastructure Solutions Nonstructural (Social/Cultural/Regulatory) Modifications in public policy, management practices, regulatory policy, and pricing policy to achieve resilience goals. EXAMPLES: Floodplain Policy and Management, Increasing coastal building setbacks, Inter-agency recovery planning, Community organization for disaster safety, and Flood insurance rate management. Emergency Housing Planning shipping container prototype New York City, USA SAGE Field Trip, 2014 Workshop

11 Resilient Infrastructure Solutions Hybrid Includes components of nature-based, structural, and non-structural approaches. Creates broader social and ecological stability by adapting to climate impacts over time. Projects integrate effectiveness goals along with local benefits, ecological improvement, and a just and transparent process. EXAMPLES: Coastal defenses providing locally desired play space and eco-tourism, renters insurance subsidies alongside integrated infrastructure, projects using beach nourishment and stabilization for sea level rise adaptation with local fisheries protection developed through participatory process. Boardwalk, replenished sand & coastal vegetation for tortoise habitat, and aesthetics for hotel redevelopment Barbados SAGE Site visit, 2016

12 Adaptation Gradients

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14 Adaptation Gradients

15 Exposure Reduction Technical or engineering performance of project in reducing the consequences of a hazard event to human, ecological, social and economic resources

16 Cost Efficiency Positive benefit-cost outcomes, least-cost or low cost solutions

17 Institutional Capacity Project development and long-term management/ maintenance requirements suit the organizational capacity of the responsible parties. Funding methods appear suitable for the host agency

18 Ecological Enhancement Project preserves and supports long-standing natural processes or creates/mimics/replaces such systems

19 Adaptation Over Time Expected ability to respond to a changing climate as well as other social, economic and ecological variation over time, either as a function of design or through anticipated monitoring and assessment

20 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Anticipated ability of project to minimize current or future greenhouse gases, including low embodied energy, long-term efficiencies, or carbon sequestration. Communities may choose to consider general sustainability as well.

21 Participatory Process Community involvement and public transparency in planning, design, and implementation of the project; whether participation changed project plans

22 Equitable Outcomes Project achieves justice and fairness goals, often measured by benefit to disadvantaged communities. Project provides co-benefits to local communities such as jobs, public health, or other locally desired outcomes

23 Example: Harlem River Project

24 Harlem River Project

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26 Adaptation Gradients Assessment for Harlem River Project

27 Adaptation Gradients Assessment for Harlem River Project

28 In a nutshell Resilient coasts require a more holistic consideration of adaptation options 2. Adaptation gradients is an approach to consider and assess a broader range of resilience objectives when planning or evaluating adaptation projects 3. Gradient case studies were used to both evaluate projects and develop the framework; provides a systematic approach for cross-case study comparisons

29 Environmental Decision Support Science Lab Melissa A. Kenney: indicators.umd.edu

30 Discussion Questions 1. Do the Adaptation Gradients resonate with how you plan or evaluate coastal resilience projects? 2. Are/how are diverse objectives included when making infrastructure decisions? How important are the different gradients in the short-term and long-term recovery decisions? 3. What are the challenges to including more holistic infrastructure approaches in the planning and decision process? 4. Would a more systematic analysis of coastal resilience case studies using Adaptation Gradients be useful? How?