Browsing by Subject "Social vulnerability"
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Item Open Access Building Social Equity into Floodplain Buyouts(2021-04-30) Lipuma, SarahIncreasingly frequent flood events have generated greater attention to voluntary floodplain buyouts, a tool to mitigate flood hazards by permanently moving people and properties out of harm’s way. While buyouts hold the promise of reducing flood risk by allowing the land to be used to store stormwater, they can also repeat inequitable practices of the past that have displaced vulnerable communities. Through a literature review, this study discusses the knowledge to date at the nexus between flood risk, social equity, and buyouts. The study uses geospatial tools to identify possible parcels for buyouts in a North Carolina town by focusing on the level of flood risk and proximity to natural areas. The resulting buyout scenarios are compared using a social vulnerability index and physical risk factors. The study concludes with recommendations to land use planners and floodplain managers at the state level for buyout decision-making. Incorporating social vulnerability information into buyout criteria will be valuable to administrators of buyout programs to identify the most at-risk populations, prioritize equity, and direct government funding to buyouts that benefit the entire community.Item Open Access Developing a Methodology to Assess Transportation Vulnerability to Recurrent Tidal Flooding(2018-04-27) Fishman, SydneyDespite the moniker of “nuisance flooding,” the recurrent flooding of coastal cities during high tides poses risks to people and property that extend beyond minor inconveniences. The frequency of this recurrent tidal flooding is expected to increase as sea levels rise. Using publicly available data, this study develops a methodology to assess local vulnerability of coastal cities’ transportation infrastructure and residents to tidal flooding. Geospatial analysis methods identify roads, public transit infrastructure, and socially vulnerable populations with potential physical exposure to flooding, while an evaluation of local planning documents suggests a lack of preparedness for coastal flood hazards. Recommendations for improving and expanding upon this exploratory methodology are provided, as are recommendations to local officials and stakeholders for reducing risk in the face of this growing hazard.