Evaluating Long-Term Resilience: A Case Study Analysis of the North Carolina Resilient Coastal Community Program (RCCP)

Abstract

As coastal hazards intensify across the North Carolina coast, state and local governments have increased resilience planning efforts. The NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), created by the NC Division of Coastal Management (DCM) supports resilience planning and project implementation. However, evaluating how resilience outcomes are assessed and perceived remains a challenge. This study conducts a case-study analysis of five selected RCCP coastal communities. Two resilience assessment frameworks, the Adaptive Gradients Framework and the RCCR Framework, are compared within the RCCP context. This study applied a mixed-methods approach that combines questionnaires, interviews, and open-ended responses. Results show strong ecological and planning benefits from RCCP participation, whereas gaps persist between perceived vulnerability, community preparedness, and engagement. Overall, this study evaluates how the RCCP supports long-term coastal resilience while providing DCM with valuable insight into program performance, strengths, and remaining gaps.