Planning for Equity: Supporting At-Risk Communities in Regions That Flood

At-risk communities are disproportionately impacted both by increased flooding and the policy and market responses to flooding conditions. In this context, what is “social equity” and how is it related to climate resilience for all? How can planners ensure an equitable response to flooding?

Panelists Shannon Van Zandt and Jaimie Hicks Masterson of Texas A&M University and Dr. Tisha Holmes of Florida State University will talk to planners about working in partnership with communities of color and other socio-economically disadvantaged communities to increase resilience to flood risk and its associated impacts. Drawing on urban and rural examples across the United States, this program will illustrate the proactive role for planning in addressing equity issues in flooding-impacted regions. These issues include infrastructure planning and provision for at-risk communities, market pressures leading to displacement, planned retreat, emergency management, and community capacity building, to name a few.

Climate change will continue to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. This session will highlight why social equity needs to be front and center regarding all climate action and will highlight how equity has been integrated in the tools and resources overviewed.