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How Can Managed Retreat Solutions be Just, Fair, Economical, and Environmentally Sustainable?

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Conference

2024 ASEE-GSW

Location

Canyon, Texas

Publication Date

March 10, 2024

Start Date

March 10, 2024

End Date

March 12, 2024

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

16

DOI

10.18260/1-2--45383

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/45383

Download Count

15

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Paper Authors

biography

Mari Dalton University of Texas at Austin

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Mari Dalton is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Communication Studies. Mari's academic research focuses on managed retreat as a transformative climate change adaptation strategy where they consider the interactions between environmental, economic, and social systems. Mari works as a Geotechnical Intern at ANS Geo where they assist is site investigations, utilize technical software programs for data analysis an interpretation, and aid in the preparation of engineering calculations and reports.

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biography

Lance Manuel The University of Texas at Austin Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-0602-3014

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Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

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Zoe E Chen University of Texas at Austin

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Joshua Epps

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Abstract

In recent years, climate change has led to an increased frequency, intensity, and severity of several natural hazards such as droughts and floods. Managed retreat, a transformative climate change adaptation strategy, refers to the intentional movement of people and infrastructure out of harm’s way to limit or avoid damages from such extreme events. Managed retreat can be particularly advantageous for regions located within floodplains because risks to the community are mitigated and the land can then be restored so as to be in harmony with its natural floodplain functions. In a successful and effective managed retreat proposal, the solution offered must be sustainable environmentally, socially, and economically. Sound managed retreat proposals also require comprehensive policies that ensure that the rights of all parties affected are upheld. Those who relocate must be guaranteed clean water, nutritious food, and safe housing—all at reasonable cost. Truly equitable and sustainable managed retreat calls for dialog and collaboration between community members and leaders, politicians, city planners, engineers, and environmentalists. Engaged committees with diverse perspectives are critical to the success of any managed retreat project. This study seeks to highlight risks and outlines opportunities associated with managed retreat from social, environmental, economic, and legal perspectives. Specifically, to different degrees, we study contrasting retreat strategies employed for villages in Fiji, the city of Houston, and an Arctic Alaskan region—these cases consider cultural disruption that can result from retreat; community engagement in decision-making; and social inequalities experienced by affected parties that become part of ill-advised managed retreat programs.

Dalton, M., & Manuel, L., & Chen, Z. E., & Epps, J. (2024, March), How Can Managed Retreat Solutions be Just, Fair, Economical, and Environmentally Sustainable? Paper presented at 2024 ASEE-GSW, Canyon, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--45383

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