opportunities for equitable adaptation in cities · 2017. 3. 6. · 2 adaptation equity workshop...

Opportunities for Equitable Adaptation in Cities

A Workshop Summary Report

©2017, Georgetown Climate Center

Georgetown Law | 600 New Jersey Ave. NW | Washington, DC 20001 | 202.661.6566 | georgetownclimate.org

OpportunitiesforEquitableAdaptationinCities: A Workshop Summary Report February 2017 Melissa Deas, Jessica Grannis, Sara Hoverter, and Jamie DeWeese*

EquitableClimateChangeAdaptation:InApril2016,theGeorgetownClimateCenter,incollaborationwiththeUrbanSustainabilityDirector’sNetwork(USDN),broughttogethercity,state,andfederalofficialswithenvironmentaljusticeandsocialequityorganizationsforaworkshoptodiscusswaysthatcitiescanpromotesocialequityandenvironmentaljusticeintheireffortstopreparefortheimpactsofclimatechange.Thisreportsummarizestheday’sproceedings,synthesizescommentsandreflectionsofworkshopparticipants,andprovidesexamplesofequitableadaptationhappeningincitiesthroughouttheUnitedStates.Thereportalsoexplorestangibleactionscityofficialsandenvironmentaljusticeleaderscantaketoencouragecommunity-drivenplanningandintegratesocialequitygoalswithclimateadaptationgoals.

TheCenterisgratefultotheKresgeFoundationandTownCreekFoundationforsupportingthisworkshopandthiswork.Indevelopingthisworkshopandsummaryreport,theGeorgetownClimateCentercollaboratedwithUSDNmembersandourequityadvisorygroup,whichincludesrepresentativesfromWEACTforEnvironmentalJustice,EmeraldCitiesCollaborative,theGulfCoastCenterforLaw&Policy,andFutureInsightConsulting.Theauthorsaregratefultothelocalofficialsandmembersofouradvisorygroupwhograciouslyspenttimeparticipatinginthesediscussionsandprovidinginvaluablefeedbackonthiswork.

TableofContentsOverview..........................................................................................................................................................1

SummaryofProceedings.............................................................................................................................2

ClimateChangeandDisproportionateImpacts.................................................................................................4

FactorsthatContributetoaCommunity’sDisproportionateRisk...............................................................4

StructuralRacism.........................................................................................................................................5

AssetsthatContributetoaCommunity’sResilience...................................................................................5

EquitableAdaptationPlanningandCommunityEngagement............................................................................7

EnsuringaJust,Transparent,andInclusiveProcess....................................................................................7

ChallengesinCityGovernanceforAddressingEquity.................................................................................9

MechanismstoImprovePlanningProcesses.............................................................................................10

ResourcestoSupportEquitableCityPlanning...........................................................................................12

OpportunitiesforCitiestoImplementEquitableAdaptationPolicies..............................................................13

EconomicDevelopment.............................................................................................................................13

SocialResilience.........................................................................................................................................15

UsingOpenSpace......................................................................................................................................17

AffordableHousing....................................................................................................................................19

CreatingaCommunityofPractice...................................................................................................................23

Resources:..................................................................................................................................................24

Endnotes........................................................................................................................................................27

AppendixA–WorkshopAgenda.......................................................................................................................i

AppendixB–WorkshopParticipantList..........................................................................................................iii

1 AdaptationEquityWorkshopSummary–February2017

OverviewTwoofthebiggestchallengesfacingtheUnitedStates—andtheworld—aretheincomeinequalitiesthatputthehealthandwell-beingofourpoorestpopulationsatrisk,andclimatechange,whichaffectsourmostvulnerablepopulationsevenmorethanthepublicasawhole.Theeffectsofclimatechange—includingrisingtemperaturesinurbanareas,morepollutedair,andincreasedextremestormsandstormwater—willdisproportionallyaffectoverburdenedandlow-incomepeopleandcommunitieswhoarealreadyfacingsignificanteconomicandsocialchallenges.Oursuccessorfailureinpreparingfortheimpactsofclimatechangewillbemeasuredbyhowwellweprotect themostvulnerableandaffectedmembersofourcommunities,alreadysuffering fromarangeofchallengesincludinglackofeconomicopportunity,racism,andpollution.

In April 2016, the Georgetown Climate Center (GCC) and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)convened a workshop bringing together nearly 50 thought leaders on equity and climate adaptation. Theworkshopfocusedoncity-levelactionsthatwouldsupportsocialjusticegoalsandbetterpreparecommunitiesfor the effects of climate change. Participants included city officials, representatives of environmental justiceand social justice organizations, state and federal partners, and funders who support this work. Workshopparticipantswerechallengedtoreflectontheirownplanningprocessesandidentifywaysthatcommunitiescanaddressunequal risks; increasediversity,communityparticipation,and leadership inadaptationplanning;andensurethatclimatechangepreparationeffortsarebenefitingandnotnegativelyaffectingthosemostatriskofimpacts. Workshop participants discussed adaptation strategies, policies, and projects that could help citiesachievesocialjustice,economicdevelopment,andclimateadaptationgoals.

Thisworkshopsummarydescribestheconversationsanddiscussionsofparticipantsduringthefirstdayofthistwo-dayworkshop; as a result, someof theassertions in this report reflect viewsofparticipants andarenotsupported by citations. Recommendations described in this report are those of the participants, and do notnecessarilyreflecttheviewsofGeorgetownClimateCenterorUSDN.Theagendafortheworkshopandthefullparticipantlistisincludedattheendofthissummary.

Participantsidentifiedthefollowingkeylessonsoverthecourseoftheworkshop:

§ Achieving equitable adaptation outcomes will require an inclusive process that gives communitymembers, especially low-income residents and people of color, the opportunity to envision and setadaptationprioritiesandinfluenceinvestments,policies,andprogramspursuedintheircommunities.

§ Inmanycities,alonghistoryofmistrustbetweenpublicagenciesandcommunitymemberswillneedtobeaddressedbeforeandthroughouttheprocessforcollaborativeplanningtobesuccessful.Thiswillrequirealong-termcommitmenttorelationshipbuildingthatisinstitutionalizedandnotproject-specific.

§ Citiescanaddressinequitywithintheirownagenciesbyhiringmoreinclusivelyandidentifyingwaysthatcity agencies currently reinforce inequities (e.g. holding meetings at inconvenient times for workingpeopleorfailingtoincludeinterpretersornoticesinrepresentativelanguages).

§ Public agencies will benefit from partnering with others, including community-based organizations,communityinstitutions,andfoundations,toaddressclimateandequitygoals.

§ Recognizingthatclimatechangewillaffectsomepeopleandgroupsdisproportionately,citiescanaddressequityconcernsbydirectingresourcestothoseareasandgroupsfacingthegreatestrisks.


§ Equitable adaptation asks city leaders and staff to think not only about how and where they directresources, but also how certain policies might have negative consequences for particular groups orcommunities. For example, low-incomehomeowners in floodplainswill face increasing economic strainfromrisingfloodinsurancerates;thismayforcesomehomeownerstodropinsurancecoverage,whichisthelastlineofdefenseintheeventthatfloodimpactsoccur.

§ Climatepolicies can address larger issues such aspoverty, housing security, and racial equity. Likewise,policies and activities that are not traditionally seen as “climate adaptation,” such as workforcedevelopment and arts festivals, can be linkedwith adaptation initiatives to improve the economic andsocialresilienceofresidents.

§ Addressingclimatechangeandequitywillinvolvealongprocessofexperimentationandcreativity.Somecities and community-based organizations are already pushing boundaries and trying to identify bestpractices.Participants in theworkshopsharedways that theyare integratingequity considerations intotheiradaptationwork;theseexamplesarefeaturedthroughoutthisworkshopsummary.

SummaryofProceedings

Theworkshopfocusedonhowcity-leveladaptationplanningcouldbeusedtoaddresssocialandenvironmentaljusticegoals.

§ Inthefirstsession,participantswereaskedtodefineequitableclimateadaptation,identifybestpracticesfor ensuring equity in city planning processes, brainstorm actions and policy options that can promoteequityinadaptation,andidentifyopportunitiesforfacilitatingprogressinthefield.

§ Inthesecondsession,participantswereaskedtodiscusspoliciesthattheyareexploringorimplementingtoaddressinequitableclimaterisk.Participantsbrokeintogroupstodiscusspoliciesto:

1) link economic development and adaptationin ways that will benefit low-income and minoritypopulations;

2) promote social resilience and socialcohesion;

3) adaptively reuse vacant lands andunderutilizedopenspacetobenefitlow-incomeandminorityresidents;and

4) promote affordable-resilient housing andreducedisplacement.

§ Finally,theparticipantsidentifiedresources,lessons, and potential case study topics for anupcoming equity portal in the Georgetown ClimateCenter’sonlineAdaptationClearinghouse.

Thepromptingquestionsexploredduringeachbreakoutsessionarelaidoutinthetablebelow.Thesequestionsguidedexploratoryconversations. Theseconversationsmarkthestartofamuchlongerandbroaderefforttofullyexploreandaddressissuesofequityandadaptation.

Participantsdiscussaffordablehousingpolicyduringabreakoutsessionattheequityworkshop.


SessionTopics&FramingQuestions

Climatechangeanddisproportionateimpacts

Identifyfactorsthatcontributetoacommunity’sdisproportionaterisk.

Identifyhowstructuralracismandbiasaffectcitydecisionmakingandcanincreasedisproportionaterisk.

Identifyanddiscussfactorsthatcanpromoteorimprovecommunityresilience.

Equitableadaptationplanningandcommunityengagement

Whatdoesequitableplanninglooklike?

Whatapproachescancitiesusetoensurerobustandmeaningfulcommunityengagementorsupportcommunity-ledplanning?Whatdoesthisinvolve?

Howdoracialequityandsocialinclusionformthebasisofplanning,ratherthanserveasacomponentofit?

Howdoyouknowifaplanningprocessisequitable?

Howcancitiesleveragesupportfromoutsidegroups(communityorganizations,foundations,others)?Whatkindofresourcesareavailabletohelp?

Opportunitiesforcitiestoimplementequitableadaptationpolicies

Identifyadaptationpoliciesforaddressinginequitableclimaterisk.

Identifyadaptationpoliciesthatcansupportothereconomicandsocialresiliencegoals.

Identifypoliciesthat,ifnotdesignedorimplementedproperly,couldhavenegativeconsequencesforcommunitiesandpeople.

Reflections,communityofpractice,andequityportal

Identifycurrentresourcesthatsupportequitableclimateadaptation.

Identifyresourceneedsandpotentialcasestudies.


ClimateChangeandDisproportionateImpacts

FactorsthatContributetoaCommunity’sDisproportionateRisk

Workshop participants were asked to identify the groups or communities in their own cities that facedisproportionaterisks fromthe impactsofclimatechange. Thebrainstormed listofgroups isnotexhaustive,butprovidesa startingplace for city leaderswhoare seeking toengage stakeholders facing themost risks inplanningprocesses,vulnerabilityanalyses,andthedevelopmentofadaptationpolicies.

Frontlinecommunitiesandpeoplefacingthegreatestclimaterisks- Communitiesofcolor - Peoplewithoutaccesstoinsurance- Elderlypeople - Publichousingresidents- Farmingcommunities - Refugees- Immigrants - Single-headedhouseholds- Industrialemployees - Smallbusinesses- Low-incomeresidents - Students- Non-Englishspeakers - Transientandhomelesspopulations- Outdoorworkers - Tribalcommunitiesandtribalmembers- Peopleexposedtoincreasinglypoorair

qualityandincreasedpollution- Peoplewithpreexistingillnesses

- Women- Youngchildren

Communitiesthatarebothhighlyexposedtoclimaterisksandhavelesscapacityorpoliticalpowertorespondtotheserisksareoftenreferredtoas“frontlinecommunities”intheexistingliteratureonequitableadaptation.1Workshop participants discussed the conditions or factors that contribute to the disproportionate risks thatthesegroupsface:

§ Lack of trust in government structures and/or officials – If community members do not trust thegovernment,itbecomesmuchmoredifficultforofficialstoadministersuccessfulprograms,warnpeopleof impending risks, or create key partnerships to better prepare for, and respond to, climate impacts.Participants noted that a lack of trust may stem from long histories of political, social, and economicexclusion and institutional racism. Thismight apply to immigrants, communities of color, or any othergroupswhomayhavehadnegative experienceswith government agenciesor believe that governmentwillnotsupporttheirinterests.

§ Cultural barriers –Peoplewho speak English as a second language or do not speak Englishmay find itdifficult to engage if resources or materials are not translated. Other cultural barriers, such as lack offamiliarity with the American governance structure, planning processes, financing systems, and legalsystemsmaypreventsomegroupsfromengagingincityplanningprocessesoraccessingresources.

§ Lackofaccesstocriticalservices–Peoplewhohave limitedaccesstocritical infrastructureandservicessuchashospitals, community centers,or transportationareputat greater riskduringextremeweatherevents. Those with limitedmobility or access to transportation can experience difficulty evacuating oraccessingmedicalcarethatcouldprotectthemduringandafteranextremeevent.


Existingcommunity-basedorganizationsoftenprovideimportantlifelinesduringdifficulttimescontributingtooverallcommunityresilience,butthesegroupsneedtobecoordinatedwith,supported,andfunded.

§ Lack of strong social networks – Interpersonal ties between neighbors, families, and friends improve aperson’s resilience to climate change. These networks are safety nets – providing shelter, care,professional advice, and many other important services that make people less susceptible to shocks.Socially isolated communities or groupswith limitedmobility, like the elderly, have been shown to bemorevulnerabletoheatwaves,flooding,andotherextremeweatherbecauseoflackofaccesstoserviceslikecoolingcentersandmedicaltreatment.2

§ Cumulativerisks–Onechallengeorstressorisoftennotenoughtomakesomeonelessresilient.Instead,thepeoplewhoaremostatriskarethosewhofacemultiplestressorsthatweardowntheirresilienceforextreme shocks. Climate change, from this perspective, is yet another risk factor that can compoundexistingsocioeconomicfactors,healthchallenges,andstructuralracism,amongotherstressors.

StructuralRacism

Underlying the disproportionate risks faced by these communities are long histories of structural racism.Participants contemplated how the social, economic, and political systems that have evolved in the UnitedStates(andCanada)haveroutinelyadvantagedwhiteandwealthyresidents.Thehistoricallegacyofrace-basedhousingsegregation, lackof investment inpublic transitandother services,andexclusionaryzoningpracticesareamongthepoliciesidentifiedbyparticipantsascontributingtourbanlandscapesinwhichlow-incomeandminority residents live in placesmore susceptible to damage, pollution, and other dangers. Public policy hasoftenreinforcedratherthanreversedtheseexistinginequitiesaswealthyresidentshavemoreinfluenceinthepolitical process andhavemore power to combat undesirable policies and landuses in their neighborhoods.Addressing structural racism isadauntingprocess foranycityagency, since the rootcausesareoftendeeplyembeddedinawiderangeofsystemsincludingtheracialandeconomicmake-upofcitystaff,thecommunity’saccesstopublictransit,schoolperformance,theallocationofcitybudgets,andraciallybiasedpolicing,tonamejustafew.

Somecausesofstructural racism,however,aredirectlyrelatedtoexistingcityprocessesthatcanbechanged(althoughnotnecessarilyeasily).Participantsreflectedonwayspublicofficialscanrecognizetheirownrolesincreatingandreinforcingstructuralracismandactivelyseekpoliciesthatreducetheseinequities.Asitrelatestoclimate change, this might involve asking municipalities to assess climate risks when considering sites foraffordablehousing.Itmightinvolvefindingbetterwaystohirelocallyandsupportjob-trainingprogramssothateconomically disadvantaged residents can benefit from job opportunities presented by investments inresilience.As a first step, however, it involves changingpublic engagementprocesses so that those residentsfacing the greatest risks can participate and determine what climate preparedness looks like in theircommunitiesandneighborhoods.

AssetsthatContributetoaCommunity’sResilience

Participantsalsonotedthathowmanyof thesamegroups that facedisproportionate risks fromclimatechangearealsocharacterizedbyunique resilience. These groups often have more experienceresponding to shocks and stressors. The coping mechanisms theyemploycouldbebetterunderstood,supported,andreplicatedwithinclimatepreparednesspolicies.Forexample,“communityassets”thatcan facilitate climate preparedness work include: faith-basedorganizations, ethnic networks, parent-teacher associations, publichealth providers, and community-based organizations. Theseorganizations often provide important lifelines and resources duringdifficulttimes.Participantsrecognizedthatmoreworkcanbedoneto


betterunderstandwhatsocialandcommunityassetsalreadyexistintheircities,andtobuildpartnershipsandprovidesupporttotheseexistingresources.Indoingthis,cityofficialsmustbecarefulnottoshiftanincreasedburden on already underfunded community groups and services. Instead, cities must find ways to ensurecontinuousandongoinginvestmentsintheorganizationsandnetworksthathavealreadyproventheirvalueinservingfrontlinecommunities.

CommunityExamplesBuildingonExistingAssetsBaltimore,MD

BaltimoreworkstoleverageexistingstrengthswithinthecommunityandtobuildgreatersocialresiliencethroughitsCommunityPreparednessefforts.OneexampleistheCity’sMakeaPlan,BuildaKit,HelpEachOtherevents,whichgivesresidentsthetoolstopreparefordisasters.Duringtheseevents,residentssharetheirstories,identifyriskstheircommunitiesface,anddeterminewaysthatclimatechangeislikelytoinfluencetheserisks.Additionally,residentsworkwithlocalexpertstodevelopanemergencyplanandbuildanemergencypreparednesskitthattheycantakehomewiththem.Thisprogramaimstobuildtrustbetweencityofficialsandresidents.Italsoaimstotapintotheexistingnetworksandstrengthsofresidentstopreparethemselvesfordisasters.Theprogramfocusesonbuildingcommunityadaptivecapacitybyencouragingneighborstohelpeachother,recognizingthatinmostsituationsneighborsarethefirstresponders.Forexample,theemergencypreparednesskitsthatresidentsmakeincludecardsthatsay“Help”inorangeononesideand“Safe”ingreenontheother.Thesecardsallowresidentstoalerttheirneighborsiftheyneedhelpduringadisasterorsavetimeforrescuersintheeventhelpisnotneeded.

HuntsPoint,TheBronx,NewYorkCity

Community-basedorganizationscanplayakeyroleinhelpingcommunitiesprepareforandrespondtodisasters.TheHuntsPointareaoftheBronxwasoneofsixfinalistsfortheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment’sRebuildbyDesign(RBD)competition. RebuildbyDesignwasadesigncompetitioninitiatedin2013bytheHurricaneSandyRebuildingTaskForce1andU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandsupportedbytheRockefellerFoundationandotherpublicandprivatepartners.Throughthecompetition,architecturalanddesignprofessionalswereaskedtodevelopinnovativedesignsolutionsforresilientrebuildingintheaftermathofHurricaneSandy,andtotakeclimatechangeintoconsideration.ThenationalnonprofitEmeraldCitiesCollaborativesupportedacollaborationbetweenthelocalnonprofitThePointCommunityDevelopmentCorporation(ThePointCDC)andtheproject’sdesignteam.Throughouttheinitialstagesofthecompetition,ThePointCDC,EmeraldCitiesCollaborative,andotherpartnersbroughttogetherresidentsandfaith-basedorganizationstoworkwiththedesignteamleadingtheapplicationtodevelopinnovativestrategiesforrebuildingtheHuntsPointneighborhoodandforprotectingtheHuntsPointFoodDistributionCenter,acriticaleconomicassetinthisregion.ThePointCDCandEmeraldCitiesCollaborativearehelpingwithimplementationoftheRBDprojectbyexploringwaysthatthecitycanintegratecommunityownershipandworkforcedevelopmentasNewYorkCitydevelopsamicrogridfeasibilitystudyfortheHuntsPointregion.1


Citiesshouldstrivetofostermorecommunity-drivenplanningprocessestoencouragegreaterequity.

EquitableAdaptationPlanningandCommunityEngagementParticipantsexploredwaystheycanbringmorevoicesintoadaptationplanningprocessesandgivemorepowertothecommunitytosetadaptationpriorities.Theyreflectedonthefailingsoftraditionalmodelsofcommunityoutreach and engagement. Participants recognized that, historically, outreach efforts havenot been inclusivenorhavetheybroughtadiversityofviewpointstoplanningprocesses.Whileadvocacygroups representingadefinedsetof stakeholdersmayelevate theneeds of a select few,many communitymembers have few advocates andmay be easily forgotten or excluded from decisionmaking processes. Evenwhen members of the public do participate, decisionmakers sometimes donotactoncommunityfeedbackandpriorities.Assuch,itisimportanttofindways for frontline communities to gainmore input into city decisionmakingprocesses, for plans to reflect community input, and for decisionmakers tofollowthroughonthecommunityrecommendationsincludedinplans.

EnsuringaJust,Transparent,andInclusiveProcess

In a recent planning process to adress heat vulnerability, the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability andEnvironmentandconsultingfirm,EquityMattersassessedcityeffortstoengageandshiftdecisionmakingpowerinto the hands of low-income communities and communities of color in a planning process. Seattle officialsreasonedthatacommunity-drivenprocesswouldallowpublicagenciestobetterunderstandthecomplexanddynamic support systems that currently serve residents during extreme heat events and the actions the Citycould take to better serve residents. To support a community-driven process, Seattle experimented withunconventional outreach techniques, including scenario-based workshops where community members wereasked to consider a rangeof climateprojections estimatingpotential increases in summerwarming andhighheatevents.Althoughthecitywasnotabletoachieveitsambitiousgoalofachievingatruecommunity-drivenprocess, city decisionmakers did gain key insights into community needs, such as the importance of postinginformationaboutcoolingcentersandheatrisks inapartmentcomplexes.Cityofficialsalso learnedstrategiesand techniques to fostermore collaborative engagementwith city residents and to increase the diversity ofresidentswhoareinterestedinandabletoengage.

In a report analyzing Seattle’s process,3 Equity Matters drew on the “spectrum of community engagement”framework (depicted below) to assess the extent to which community engagement shifted power frominstitutions to residents to find solutions to heat risks.4 This spectrum shows a progression of engagementbetweendecisionmakersandthecommunity:fromsimplyinformingresidentswhatthecityplannedtodo(ononeend),toacommunity-drivenprocessinwhichresidentsactuallyleadmeetings,developplans,andchoose

InformAgency-ledpresentations

ConsultAgency-ledinterviews&focusgroups

DialogueAgency-ledworkshops

CollaboratePlannedcommunityandagency-ledongoinginteractions

Community-DrivenPlannedcommunity-led,agencysupportedongoinginteractions

"Spectrumofcommunityengagement"adaptedfromEquityMatters


how to invest resources and what policies or programs should be implemented (on the other end of thespectrum).

Participants were asked to use the spectrum of engagement to brainstorm strategies to facilitate morecollaborativeandcommunity-drivenplanningprocesses,andidentifiedthefollowingkeylessons:

§ Community-driven planning should be centered on community concerns – The purpose of engaging acommunityisfirsttolearnwhatcommunitymemberswantandthentocollaborativelydevelopoptionstoachieve community-set priorities. Community members should be brought in early on in the planningprocessandshouldbeabletoinfluencethedesignoftheplanningprocessanditsoutcomes.

§ Uncomfortable conversations –City officials should bewilling to allow for uncomfortable conversationsaboutrace,power,andpastandcurrentfailingsofpublicofficialsorthegovernmentingeneral.

§ Diverse and representative – Equitable planning must involve a range of voices, including frontlinecommunitiesthatareespeciallyvulnerabletoclimaterisks.

§ Accountable–Tobuildtrust,participantsstressedtheneedforaccountabilityandfollow-through.Itisnotenough to develop a planwith community input; ultimately that planmust be put into action for thepublictoseetheresultsoftheirengagement.

Overall,participantsagreedthatpublicofficialsshouldseethemselvesasaresourceforthecommunity,ratherthanseeingcommunityengagementasjustanother“boxtocheck”beforeaplanisadopted.

Participantsnotedthatcollaborativeplanningprocessesalsorequirecityleaders to address barriers to participation. Lack of access totransportation, inconvenient meeting times and locations, insufficienttranslation services, and lack of child care or access to meals can allinhibit the ability of residents to participate in community meetings.Providing food, stipends, or other incentives such as gift cards sends amessagethatthetimeandworkresidentsputintotheplanningprocessis valuable andworthy of compensation. Citieswill often need to findgrantstosupporttheseengagementstrategies,sinceprovidingstipendsusing public funds is often prohibited. In addition, community leadersmaywanttoconsiderinnovativewaystoengagethepublicandspecificgroups.Communitytheaters,artcenters,schools,seniorcitizencenters,andpartnershipswith local community institutions can all bepowerfulvenues for engaging different types of residents and exciting residentsabout city initiatives. Participants also recognized that to encouragelong-term and ongoing community engagement, planning has to beenjoyableandthecommunityneedstoseethebenefitandoutcomesoftheirparticipation.

Participants noted that frontline communities should not only be sitting at the table, but also givenopportunitiestoinfluencedecisions.Thiswillinvolveaprocessoflearningandfact-findingsincemanyresidentsmay be relatively new to climate science or adaptation planning. City leaders can facilitate the process byprovidingclearresources(e.g., reports,presentations)thatminimize jargonandtechnical language infavorofmaterialswithgraphicsandmapsthatshowlocallyrelevantinformationaboutclimaterisksandvulnerabilities.Initial meetings should not focus on finding specific solutions, but should focus on creating trust with thecommunity,asharedunderstandingofrisk,andacommonlanguagefortalkingaboutrisks.Cityleaderscanusecommunity meetings to build their understanding of what the community values, to establish a process for

Cityleaderscanusecommunitymeetingstobuildtheirunderstandingofwhatthecommunityvalues,toestablishaprocessformovingaplanforward,andtosetcommunitypriorities.Oncecommunitiesmakesomedecisions,cityleadersshouldbeaccountabletodeliveronpromisesandtransparentabouthowtheywillimplementtheplanonceadopted.


movingaplanforward,andtosetcommunitypriorities.Oncecommunitiesmakesomedecisions,city leadersshouldbeaccountable todeliveronpromises and transparent abouthow theywill implement theplanonceadopted.

ChallengesinCityGovernanceforAddressingEquity

Cityofficialsdescribedsomeofthebarrierstheyfaceaddressingequitythroughtheirwork.Officialsmustoftenworkinthecontextoflimitedbudgets.Fundsmustoftenbespentunderquicktimelines,withlittleflexibilityforrobustandongoingcommunityengagement.Politicalprocesses cancreateanatmosphere inwhichaplanorprogrammust get done quickly, and less importance and value is placed on community engagement as anongoingopportunity tobuild collaborationand trust.Manypublicofficialshavebeenmetwithdistrustwhenreachingouttoacommunityandrecognizethatitwilltakeyearsoftrust-buildingtorepairrelations.Theyalsofeeltheneedtomovequicklynotonlytopreparethecommunityfortheimminentthreatsofclimatechange,but also to address other social and economic stressors that haveplagued communities formany years. City

ExamplesofCommunity-DrivenPlanningNorthernManhattan,NewYorkCity

TheenvironmentaljusticeorganizationWEACTpresenteditsNorthernManhattanClimateActionPlan,whichwasbasedonthepremisethatitisnotenoughtoconnectpeopletocityagencies;insteadcommunitymembersshoulddotheplanningthemselves.Throughaseriesofcommunityworkshops,participantswereaskedtoconsiderhowclimatechangewouldaffecttheircommunityandtodevelopstrategiesforbuildingresilience.Theresultingplanstressesthatbuildingclimateresilienceinvolvesfosteringeconomicandpoliticalpowerwithincommunities.Solutionsshouldreorientsystemsofpowertodeependemocraticsystems,buildcommunitycapital,andpromotecollectiveownership.Theplanpromotesthecreationofenergydemocracy,inwhichcommunitymembersinvestinandowngreenenergysystemsthatcreatejobsforlocalresidents.Additionally,itcallsforcreatingcommunityspaceswheremeetingsandmovement-buildingactivitiescanoccur.Thesecommunityspacescansupportothergoalsoutlinedintheplanbyprovidingavenuefordraftingneighborhoodlevelemergencyresponseplansandadvocatingforparticipatorybudgetingprocesses.Finally,manyofthesesameplanelements,rangingfromcooperativelymanagedenterprisestopeer-to-peercommunicationsprograms,aremeanttofostersocialcohesion.Withgreatersocialcohesionresidentscanplanaheadandrespondfastertocrises,whilealsoworkingtopreventtheircommunityfrombeingdisplacedduetoclimatechangeorgentrification.

Detroit,MI

SimilartoTheNorthernManhattanplan,Detroit’sClimateActionPlan(forthcoming)isnotbeingdevelopedbythecity,butbyacoalitionofcommunityleaderswhoarepartoftheDetroitClimateActionCollaborative(DCAC).DCACwasconvenedbythecommunityenvironmentalorganizationDetroitersWorkingforEnvironmentalJusticetobringtogethercommunitygroups,universities,environmentalandpublichealthorganizations,businesses,andpublicofficialstosupportclimateplanninginDetroit.MembersoftheDCAChavefoundthatitisintheirbestinteresttobringindiversepartnerstoparticipateintheclimateplanningprocess.Diverseparticipationwascriticaltoachievingwidespreadbuy-inandstrengtheningtheplanthroughtheuniqueperspectivesbroughtbythesedifferentgroups,especiallyresidents.Toenhanceparticipationfromtheresidentialcommunityandtobetteraddresstheirclimate-relatedconcerns,DCACestablishedtheDetroitClimateAmbassadors.AmbassadorsareDetroitresidentswhoengagefellowresidentstobuildawarenessrelatedtoclimateissuesandcollectcommunityinputtobetterdefineagrassrootsvisionforaction.Additionally,ratherthanexcludebusinessesthatarecontributorstoclimateemissions,DCACreasonedthatinvolvingthesebusinessescouldprovideaforumforairinggrievancesandmitigatingpotentialresistancefromtheoutset.Theyusedabusiness-to-businessrecruitingmodel,firstworkingwithsomebusinesses(likeDTEEnergy)andthenhavingthosebusinessesreachouttoothers(e.g.,GeneralMotors,Ford)togrowthenumberofbusinessesparticipatingintheplanningprocess.


Breakingdowncityagencysilosandmainstreamingequitableclimateadaptationwereseenaskeystepsneededtoreducethecumulativethreatsfacedbyfrontlinecommunities.

officials report that these constraints and the need to get things donemeans that they have tomake somecompromisesthatcanfrustrategoalstohavemoreinclusive,collaborative,andongoingplanningprocesses.

Additionally, the structure of city governments often makes it difficult for officials to address the heart ofproblems. Sustainabilitydirectors (like thosewhoparticipated in this event) areoften leading city adaptationefforts. However, these directors do not have direct authority over public health, economic development,

housing, and other sectors that affect the resilience of frontlinecommunities. As a result, equitable adaptation requirescoordinationandactiveinvolvementofmultiplecitydepartments.Breaking down city agency silos and mainstreaming equitableclimateadaptationwere seenaskey stepsneeded to reduce thecumulativethreatsfacedbyfrontlinecommunities.However,evenwith better communication across agencies, political andbudgetary constraints are likely to remain without externalpressurefromadvocacygroupsandresidents,andleadershipfromtoppoliticalfigures(likemayorsorcitycouncilmembers).

Cityofficialsalsorecognizedthattheywerenotalwaysbestequippedtobethemessengerortheconvenerofcommunity-driven processes. At times, community-based organizations, churches, community leaders, andothersmightbemorenimbleandhavedeepertieswiththecommunity.Theseorganizationscanbestrongalliestosupportcommunity-drivenprocesses. Ifcityofficialschoosetoparticipateonthesidelines inacommunity-drivenprocess,however,theyshouldmakeeveryefforttointegratetherecommendationsdevelopedthroughcommunitydialoguesintocitydecisionmaking.

MechanismstoImprovePlanningProcesses

Participants highlighted many ways that cities can begin to build trust and develop more inclusive andtransparentprocesses,andidentifiedthefollowingactions:

§ Hiring – City governments should make a concerted effort to hire or formally collaborate with morepeople of color, low-income residents, and people who already have established trust within theircommunities.Participantsnotedthatcityhiringshouldbecoretoanyequitystrategy.Toooften,publicofficials are not representative of the people they are serving and do not have deep ties within thecommunity. As an initial step, cities could use fellowships and paid internships to bring communityresidentsintocitygovernment.

§ Listening–Duringcommunityengagementprocesses,cityofficialsshouldcomereadytolistenratherthansharingpreconceivedideasaboutwhattheywanttoaccomplish.

§ Buildingtrust–Cityofficialscandeveloptrustwithcommunitymembersbydeliveringonpromisesmade,listeningandrespondingtoconcernsevenwhentheydonotpertaintothetopiconthetable,andbeingtransparentaboutactionstakenandroadblocksthatdelayprogress.

§ Conveningcommunityadvisory councils–Cityagencies canusecommunity task forces to leadplanningprocesses. Participants noted that community members should not only be able to makerecommendationsaboutplanninggoals,butshouldbegiventhepowertoinfluencebudgetallocations.


§ Leveragingphilanthropy –City governments should foster relationshipswith communitynonprofits andfoundations that arewell trusted in the community and can address challenges public agencies are ill-equippedtoresolve.

§ Educating staff –City trainingprogramsshouldeducate staffabout the root causesofdisproportionaterisks,structuralracism,andimplicitbias.

§ Leveraging outside experts – When appropriate, city officials should invite experts (e.g. planners,architects,engineers)tointeractdirectlywithresidentstopresentprojectsanddiscussprosandconsofprojectalternatives.Technicalexpertsmustbepreparedtodeliver informationusingplainlanguageandwithhumilitytoavoidexcludingparticipants.

§ Communicating using different formats – City officials should use multiple formats and forums formessagingandoutreachtoensuretheyreachadiverserangeofresidents.Forexample,olderresidentsmayrelymoreheavilyonprintedhandoutsandtelevision,whileyoungerresidentsmayrespondmoretosocialmedia.

§ Building youth leadership – City governments should actively encourage young people to take onleadershiprolesandbuildskillstorepresenttheircommunities.

CreativePublicEngagementStrategiesParticipantsbrainstormedcreativewaysandbestpracticesforbringingcommunitymemberstothetable.Ideasincluded:

- Hostingdinnerswhereresidentsareinvitedtobringafriendtonetworkandhaveconversationsaboutclimatechange

- Hostinga“bookclub”whereparticipantssuggest,read,anddiscussbooksonenvironmentaljustice

- Providingfood,childcare,translationservices,andevenstipendstoencourageparticipation

- Goingouttothecommunityatpre-scheduledevents(e.g.,farmersmarkets,streetfairs)

- Creatingappsconnectingresidentstocityorbusinessservices(e.g.,businessesthatoffergreenproducts)

- Hostingandprovidinggrantstopayforcommunityworkshopswhereresidentsgettochoosethetopicsandspeakers

- Workingthroughschoolstoeducatestudentsaboutclimaterisksandaskingstudentstobepartofplanningprocessestodevelopclimatestrategies

- Creatingcommunityadvisorycouncilsortaskforces

- Hostingorattendingcommunitypotlucks,blockparties,orfestivalstobuildcommunitycohesionandprovidefunvenuestodiscusspolicyoptions

- Mappingsocialnetworksandcommunityassetsandinvestingintheseasresources

- Launchingaclimatechangerelatedphotocontest

- Employinglocalartistsasfacilitatorstographicallyrepresentcommunitydiscussionsortohelpwithcommunitystorytelling


ResourcestoSupportEquitableCityPlanning

Participantsidentifiedanumberofanalyticalneedsthatwouldsupportequitableclimateadaptationprocesses.Theseincluded:

§ Better socioeconomic and demographic data, when paired with climate data, can help cities identifyimportantstakeholderswhoshouldbeincludedinplanningprocesses.Inadditiontocurrentdemographicdata,citieswouldbenefitfromdataonprojecteddemographicshiftsrelatedtoclimatedisplacementthatmayaffecttheirregions.

§ Healthimpactassessmentscanhelpcitiesunderstandthehealthconsequences(negativeorpositive)ofpolicydecisions.

§ Fundinganalysescanhelpcitiesbetterunderstandhowmoneyiscurrentlybeingspentandwhichgroupsare benefitting from city expenditures. This can help cities bemore transparent about spending,makebudgetingdecisionsusinganequityframework,andbemorestrategicaboutallocatingfuturefunding.

§ Landusedata(e.g.newhousingunitspermitted,ratiooflandconsumptiontopopulationgrowth,acresofurban parks, ratio of jobs to housing, etc.) can help cities better assess current needs and project thefuturechangesandgrowththatarelikelytooccurasnewdevelopmentisintegratedintotheurbanfabric.Thiscanhelpcitiesdistributeservicesandpublicamenitiesmoreequitablyandkeeppacewithgrowingpopulationsandclimaterisks.

In addition to these data needs, cities could also use more guidance on putting these data to use – forexample,howtoprioritize investmentsusingclimateandsocialvulnerabilityanalyses.Evenmore,citiesarerecognizingthatleveraging“citizenscience”tocollectdatacanbeaneffectivewayofbuildingunderstandingof climate risks and creating community buy-in at early stages of a planning process. Asking communitymembers to collect and analyze information allows for a natural process of “joint fact-finding” in whichcommunitymemberslearnalongsidecitystaff.Thisenablescitizenstoactivelyparticipateinmeetings,withtheknowledgeandvocabulary theywillneedto interactwith technicalexpertsandelectedofficials. Citiescouldalsousemoreguidanceonhowtopromoteandusecitizenscienceeffectively.


OpportunitiesforCitiestoImplementEquitableAdaptationPoliciesWorkshopparticipantsdiscussedpolicyoptionsthataddressedbothequitygoalsandclimateadaptationneeds;belowarehighlightsfocusingon(1)economicdevelopment,(2)buildingsocialresilience,(3)useofopenspace,and(4)affordablehousing.

EconomicDevelopment

Theeconomicdevelopmentgroupfocusedonlocalgovernmentstrategiestoincreasejobopportunities,supportlocal businesses, and boost local economies through adaptation work, while also benefiting frontlinecommunities and underemployed and economically disadvantaged residents. The group considered threeprimary questions in addressing these issues: (1) what economic opportunities are cities thinking about orundertakingwithrespecttoclimateadaptationandresilience;(2)whatcurrenteconomicchallengesarecitiesalreadyfacing,andhowwillclimatechangeaffectthelocaleconomy;and(3)whatlegalandpolicyoptionsarepotentialsolutionstotheseeconomicdevelopmentandequitychallenges?

Fromthesequestions,participantsidentifiedseveralprincipaltakeaways:

§ Anyeconomicdevelopmentandequitydiscussionshouldfocusonjobsandworkforcedevelopment,withaparticular focuson low-incomeandunderservedcommunities. Inorder forthosecommunitiestofullybenefit from resilience investments, workforce development is a critical component for ensuring thatthose investmentsare leading to local jobs.Whileshorter-termconstruction jobscanbe found inacitywith a strong economy, many local government officials struggle to provide more stable, longer-termemployment forresidents.Theconstructionandmaintenanceofresilienceprojectscanprovideaviablesourceofjobsifresidentsareprovidedwithappropriatetrainingandlocalhiringispromoted.

§ Climate change poses a substantial threat to economic development in many cities due to potentialproperty and infrastructure loss within floodplains; heat risks to labor productivity, public health, andenergy; extremeweatherdamageanddisruptions forbusinesses; and shiftingagriculturalpatterns thatcould drive up costs for food; among other things. These risks are particularly dire in low-incomeneighborhoodsthatmayneedhelpwithbusinessstabilizationandcontinuity.

§ Economic development and climate adaptation can be in tensionwith one another, depending on therobustnessof theeconomy in that city.Citieswithhighgrowthanda skilledworkforce (e.g.,NewYorkCity)maybeabletoincreaserequirementsfordeveloperswithoutdrivingbusinesselsewhere,butothercities worry that increased regulations could drive businesses and the jobs they bring to cities wheredevelopmentischeaper.

Thegroupdiscussed(1)jobsandworkforcedevelopment, includinglocalhirepoliciesandotherprogramsand(2) safeguards against gentrification as economic development succeeds, and identified the followingapproaches:

§ Communitybenefitsagreementsorpreferences for localworkers canbeused to increaseemployment.Cleveland uses community benefits agreements to hire local people to fill clean energy jobs. This hasworked well transitioning residents who formerly worked for the oil and gas industries to work onoffshorewindprojects instead. SanAntonio has a 10-percent preference for contractors that hire localworkers.5However,participantsnotedthat insomelocations localhirecanbea“double-edgedsword,”because ifworkersgetdisplaceddue to increasedhousingcosts, theymayno longerbeeligible for thelocalhireprogram.


§ Jobtrainingandworkforcedevelopmentprogramsshouldbealignedwithavailableoranticipatejobs;ifalocal government trains workers and has no jobs for them, or has jobs and no one to fill them, theprograms do not work. One participating city did workforce development and training for work in theenergyefficiencyindustry,butdidnothaveenoughjobsfortrainedworkersattheend.Cityofficialscanworkwiththeprivatesectortocoordinatetrainingandhiringforjobswherelocaladaptationneedscouldcreate new job opportunities (e.g., need for broad deployment of green infrastructure to managingchangingprecipitationpatterns).

§ Adaptation-related construction can bring jobs, and local-hire measures can be used to ensure thataffectedresidentshavetheopportunitytobenefitfromtheinflux.Thegroupalsodiscussedthechallengesof ensuring jobs for local residentsnotonlyduring the constructionphasesof projects, but also longertermmaintenance,whichprovidesgreaterstabilityforworkers.BuildSanAntonioGreen6isanexampleofacommunitypartnerworkingwiththecitytoinstallsolarpanelsandprovidesustainablejobswithintheregion.

§ Safeguards against displacement for current residents are critical, including the need to provide andprotect affordable housing. As cities eliminate the threat of climate impacts like flooding, howdo theykeepthoseneighborhoodsaffordableandalsoallowfordevelopmentthatisinclusive?Participantsnotedthatcommunity-based financial institutionsandcommunity land trusts canhelp increase ratesofhomeownership and keep financial resourceswithin the community in order to build economic resilience inthoseneighborhoods.

§ Displacementisalsoanissueforsmallbusinesses.Forexample,theU.S.ChamberFoundation’sBusinessCivicLeadershipCenter(BCLC)estimatedthatupto30percentofthesmallbusinessesnegativelyaffectedby Hurricane Sandy permanently closed.7 Additionally, adaptation may entail significant infrastructureconstruction, which can be damaging to nearby businesses if safeguards are not taken to preventdisruption.

§ Economicdevelopmentcanprovideawaytodiscussclimateadaptationandequityinplaceswherethoseconversations are politically challenging. One participant discussed Prince George’s County,MD,wherecounty council members advocated for a green infrastructure program as an economic developmentopportunity. Other participants discussed terms that were acceptable in place of “equity” in theirjurisdictions, including “inclusive,” “fair,” and “just.” Where climate change is a challenging topic,participants discussedways that different framing could be used to speak to different audiences (e.g.,talkingtofarmersaboutextremeweatherandyieldproductivityinsteadofclimatechange).

CommunityExampleWashington,DC

Washington,DCisexploringopportunitiestoexpandlocalhiringandworkforcedevelopmentprogramstootherareasinwhichthecityismakingresiliencyinvestments,likegreeninfrastructure.CityofficialsarelookingattheEvergreenCooperativemodelinClevelandtocreateanemployeecooperativetotrainresidentsoninstalling,operating,andmaintaininggreeninfrastructureprojects.Thiswouldhelpeconomicallydisadvantagedresidentsbenefitfromthewidespreadinvestmentingreeninfrastructurethatthecityexpectsinthecomingyears.

Washington,DChasalreadyestablishedaprecedentforlocalhireprogramsthroughDCWaterWorks!,aninitiativethatseekstoboostlocaljobsastheDistrictinvestsinlarge-scalewaterinfrastructureprograms.Theprogramtargetsadvertisementsofwaterjobstolocalresidents,encouragesjobtrainingandapprenticeshipprograms,andencouragesDCwatercontractorstointerviewandhireDistrictresidents.Forexample,DCWaterhasamentorprogramtohelplocalresidentsdeveloptheskillsneededtoinstallandmaintaingreeninfrastructureandtobecomepartofthecontractorworkforcetappedbythecitytoimplementtheseprojects.


SocialResilience

Thesocialresiliencegroupfocusedonhowlocalgovernmentscanhelpbuildsocialcohesionincommunitiestoenhanceresilience.Socialcohesion—definedasthedegreetowhichcommunitiessupporttheoverallwell-beingofallmembers,createasenseofbelonging,andpromotetrust—isviewedasanimportantindicatorofhowwellacommunitywillbeabletorespondtostressorssuchasnaturaldisastersoreconomicdownturns.8Inarecentreport, theCenter forAmericanProgress (CAP)arguedthatsocialcohesionshouldbeactively fostered inanyplantoaddressclimatepreparedness.9CAPreasonsthatcohesivecommunitieswillbebetterplanningpartnersas they are more aware of and able to identify existing vulnerabilities and assets. Additionally, during anextreme weather event, cohesive communities will be better positioned to assist with emergency responseactivities, checking on neighbors and moving resources where they are needed. Finally, after an extremeweatherevent,cohesivecommunitiescanworktogethertopreventlongperiodsofdisplacement,rebuildtheirneighborhoods,orevennegotiateacceptablerelocationplans.

The social resiliencebreakout group considered the following threequestions: (1)whatdoes social resiliencelooklikeasitrelatestopreparingforclimatechangeandrespondingtoextremeweatherequitably;(2)whatarepolicies that can support social resilience; and (3)what key policy considerations should decisionmakers payspecialattentionto?

§ Outofthesetopics,participantsidentifiedthefollowingthreetakeaways:

§ A socially resilient and cohesive community is better able to self-determine the actions that will bestprepareitforclimatechangeandhowrecoveryeffortswilltakeplaceafteranextremeweatherevent.

§ Publicagenciesandcommunity-basedorganizationscansupportsocialcohesionbyprovidingpeoplewiththe opportunity and tools towork together to create a shared vision of a resilient community and thesupport to carry out that vision. Inviting community members to take a more active role in resiliencecampaignscanbeamoreefficientwayofallocatinglimitedfunding.

§ Publicofficialsshouldrecognizethatsocialresiliencemaynotlookthesameeverywhereandshouldlistento residents to figureoutwhat social resiliencemeanswithin the context of their own city, andwithinneighborhoods.

§ Thegroupbrainstormedactionslocalgovernmentscouldtaketoincreasesocialresilience,anddiscussedthefollowingstrategies:

§ Local governments can actively work with community-based organizations with strong ties in theirneighborhoods,suchaschurchgroupsorothercultural institutions.Cityofficialsshould firstspeakwithresidents to identify which organizations or community leaders they already trust. Resources can bedirectedtocommunity-basedorganizationstosupportandleadplanningandcommunityeducation,andtoimplementresilienceprojects.

§ Some cities like Cleveland and Baltimore are fostering local leadership and peer-to-peer organizing byidentifying, training, andworkingwith “climateambassadors.” Climateambassadors are residentswhoaretrainedtocommunicateaboutclimatechangeandworkwiththeircommunitiestoleadlocal-climatepreparednessinitiatives.Cityofficialsreportchallenges,however,becausemanyfundingsourcesdonotallowsubgrantstocommunityinstitutionsorleaders.Additionally,mostclimatepreparednessgrantshaveone-year timeframes rather than themulti-year funding that is necessary to developing sustained andeffectiveprograms.Inthosecases,citiesmayneedtorelymoreheavilyonpartnershipsandfindwaysthatcityofficialscancollaboratewithandfindfundingtosupportexistingneighborhood-levelinitiatives.


§ Toincreasesocialresilienceafteranextremeweatherevent,cityofficialscanpartnerwithorganizationsand local institutions to serve as distribution points for resources and basic services; and communitymemberscanhelpidentifyexistingorganizationsthatcanmosteffectivelyplaytheseroles.

§ Citiescanalsofostersocialcohesionbyprovidingmoreopportunitiesforneighborstomeetandengagewitheachotherontopicsofriskandresilience.Thismightalsoincludeeffortstopromote,fund,oreasepermitting forsummerconcerts,blockparties,street festivals,orothercommunityevents,unrelatedtoclimate change or resilience. Public agencies can partnerwith community-based organizations, schools,and localbusinessestobrainstormwaystogetpeopletobemoreactive inandconnectedtotheirowncommunities.

Themainchallengetobuildingsocialresilienceisarecognitionthatthestrategiesthatmaybeeffectiveinonecommunitymaynot translate toanother.Forexample,a socially cohesivecommunitymaynotbedefinedbygeography (but insteadcenteraroundethnic tiesor faith,etc.). Somesocialnetworks thatprovide importantservicessuchashousingassistance,jobassistance,andjobtrainingcanspancity,state,andeveninternationalborders.Thiscanmakeitchallengingtoidentifythebestwaystotapintothesesocialnetworks.Additionally,insome communities existing tensions between groups of residentsmaymake it necessary to deploymultiplestrategiesaimedat variousaudiencesor to findways toencourage communityhealingbefore trying tobuildsocialresiliencethroughstrategieslikethoseidentifiedabove.

Participantsalsofocusedontheneedtoensurethatsocialcohesionandtrustingovernmentisprotectedafteratraumaticexperience,likeanextremeweatherevent.Theseeventscanbetriggersthatencourageneighborstomeetoneanotherandworktogethertowardsacommongoal,suchasrebuilding.However,theycanalsoproveto be lost opportunities for public agencies if cities appear unresponsive or insensitive to community needs.Evenmore,traumacanbreakdownexistingsocialcohesionifcommunitymembersaredisplacedorstrugglingthrough depression, economic struggles, and other common post-disaster challenges. Participants alsodiscussed the importanceof finding culturally sensitiveways toaddress traumaafter adisasterevent,notingthat traditional psychologists might serve some communities, while others might be better served throughreligiousleaders,exerciseandrecreationalprograms,orotherformsoftherapyandoutreach.

Thegroupalsodiscussedpotentialwaysthatcommunitiescouldmeasuresocialresilienceandcohesion. Onepersonsuggestedthatthebestwaytodetermineindicatorswouldbetoworkwiththecommunitydirectlytofigure out the best local measures of cohesion and resilience. Other ideas included surveying communitymembers about their knowledge of public resources and trust in neighbors,monitoring participation in localgovernment through indicators such as voter registration or attendance at public meetings, and assessingparticipationincommunityeventssuchasblockparties.


CommunityExamplesCleveland,OH

TheCityofClevelandispartneringwithcommunity-basedorganizationstoencourageneighborhood-levelactiononclimateadaptationbyusingfundingfromtheKresgeFoundationtoprovidesubgrantsdirectlytoneighborhoodnonprofits.Thesenonprofitswillleadresiliencyplanningwithineachoffourneighborhoodsselected;thecitywillactasapartnerandcoordinator.Communitydevelopmentcorporations(CDCs)selected16climateambassadorstoworkintheneighborhoods,andambassadorswillreceiveasmallstipendtosupporttheirworkengagingtheirneighbors.Additionally,fundingwillbeavailablewithineachneighborhoodtosupportprojectsthattheclimateambassadorandneighborhoodgroupsidentifyaspriorities.Thecityisstillrefiningitsownroleintheprocess,attemptingtotrackwhetherthisplanningmodelimprovescommunitycohesion,andintegratingthefindingsfromthepilotsinthesefourneighborhoodsintolargercityplansandplanningprocesses.

Baltimore,MD

Baltimoreofficialsaredevelopingfourresiliencyhubsindifferenthigh-riskneighborhoodsthroughoutthecity.Plannersprioritizedfacilitiesthatarenotcity-ownedbutarealreadytrustedcentersinthecommunity.Theresiliencyhubsaremeanttobemanagedbypeoplewholiveorworkinthosecommunities.Thecity’sroleistoprovidefundingtoretrofitexistingbuildingsandsurroundinglotstoensurethatthesebuildingscanwithstandandstayonlineduringanyemergencyevent,supportemergencyresponseefforts,andenhancelong-termcommunityresilience.Theseresiliencehubsarestagingareastodistributedisastermaterialsandinformation,providefoodandwater,andcanserveasmeetingspacesforaffectedresidents.Thesehubsarealsobeingusedtosupplymealstochildrenwhoarenotbeingfedduringdisastersbecausetheytypicallyeatlunchatschool.

UsingOpenSpace

Theopenspacegroupfocusedonwayscitiescancreateandenhanceopenspacetopromotebothequityandadaptation.Thisgroupdiscussedopportunitiesto“adaptivelyreuse”vacantandunder-usedpropertiesforgreeninfrastructure,floodmitigation,andtreeplanting.Inthisreport,thetermadaptivereuseisusedtomeantherepurposingasiteorbuildinginawaythatwillhelpacommunitypreparefortheimpactsofclimatechangeandforapurposeotherthanwhatitwasoriginallybuiltordesignedfor.Participantsalsodiscussedhowtoensureanequitabledistributionofgreenandpublicspacesamongneighborhoods.Thisgroupframeditsdiscussionaroundthreeprimaryquestions:(1)whatcurrentprogramsorpoliciesdoeseachcityhaveforacquiring,preservingandimprovingopenspace;(2)howarecitiesadaptingtheseprogramstopromoteclimateresilience;and(3)howarecitiesensuringthattheseeffortswillbenefitthemostat-riskcommunities?

Outofthesediscussions,threeprimarytakeawaysemerged:

§ Manyagingcitieshaveblighted,vacant,andcontaminatedpropertiesthatdepresspropertyvalues,takeproperty tax revenuesoutof city coffers,andhaveotheradverseeffects like increasedcrime.Adaptivereuseofvacantandblightedparcelscanbeagoodwaytoputtheselandsbackintoproductiveusewhilealsorevitalizingeconomicallydistressedneighborhoodsandaddressingotherenvironmentalstressorsandclimatechangerisks.Cities,however,struggletodeveloppoliciestodoso.

§ Citieshavemanytoolsforcreatingorenhancingopenspaceorvacantlandsforadaptationpurposes(e.g.,land banks, tax incentives, etc.), but they need help figuring out how to use these tools and targetprogramstobenefitfrontlinecommunities.

§ Citiesneedhelp finding and combining funding streams to support this adaptive reuseandopen spaceprograms.


Participantsdiscussedmanyexistingprogramsandpoliciesforrepurposingvacantandunder-usedopenspace:

§ Vacantandblightedparcelscanbeacquiredthroughlandbanksandredevelopmentauthorities.

§ Cities can repurpose vacant parcels to create pocket parks and green infrastructure to managestormwater.

§ Cities can direct tree planting efforts to areas of the community that face the most risk from risingtemperatures.

§ Citiescanworkwithhousingauthoritiestoenhanceopenspaceonpublichousingcampuses.

§ Cities can restore river and stream corridors tomanage flooding, provide recreational open space, andimprovehabitats.

§ Participantsalsodiscussedoptionsforenhancingandrestoringvacantorunderusedopenspaceinwaysthatwillpromoteclimateresilienceandprovideeverydayrecreationalorsocialbenefits.

Citiesfaceseveralchallengesinrepurposingopenspaceforadaptivepurposes:

§ Manycitiesareupagainstborrowinglimitsandthereforecannotfundthesetypesofinvestmentsthroughbonds.Asa result,manycities lookto fund landacquisitionand improvements throughgrantprogramsthattendtohavelimitations.Forexample,grantfundsoftencanonlybeusedforspecifiedpurposeslikewater quality improvements, economic development, or disaster recovery and hazard mitigation. Cityofficialsfinditdifficulttofigureoutwhichfundingsourcescanbeappliedtodifferentreuseprojectsandhowtocombinedifferentstreamsoffundingforacomprehensiveprojectthatdeliversmultiplebenefits(e.g. improveswaterquality,providesrecreationalspace,enhanceshabitat, improvesairquality, lowersair temperatures, increases property values, and keep trees alive, etc.). City officials also struggle toidentifyfundingsourcestomaintaintheseinvestmentsoncetheyareinstalled.

§ Citiesstrugglewithhowandwhethertoengagethepublicinplanningwhenthereisnofundingavailablefor implementation. City officials are worried that by opening discussions with no funds forimplementation, theymay further diminish trust between government and the community if they areunabletoactontheplanthatisdeveloped.

§ Participantsexpressedgeneralconcernsthatthesetypesof investmentscould leadtogentrificationanddisplacement. City officials need tools to help them align these types of programswith other land-usestrategies for encouraging andmaintaining affordable and resilient housing in areas that receive theseinvestments.

§ Participants also expressed the need for help aligning local-hiring policies and workforce developmentwithadaptivereuseprograms.Resilienceinvestmentstoinstallgreeninfrastructureonvacantlands,forexample, could create job opportunities for economically disadvantaged residents, and job trainingprogramscouldprovideresidentswiththenecessaryskillstobuild,operate,andmaintaintheseprojects.

§ Participants discussed the challenges coordinating across the range of government agencies that areneededtoeffectivelydeployopenspaceforadaptationpurposes(economicdevelopment,publichousing,publicworks,water/wastewaterutilities,etc.).


AffordableHousing

Theaffordablehousinggroupfocusedonwayscitiescanaddresstheneedtocreateandmaintainhousingthatis affordable for low- and moderate-income residents and also resilient to the impacts of climate change.Protecting affordable housing will become increasingly important to ensuring the climate resilience of cityresidents.Thebuildingstockinlower-incomecommunitiesisoftenatincreasedriskduetohistoricpatternsofdevelopmentinareasvulnerabletonaturalhazardsandunderinvestmentinpublicinfrastructureinless-affluentneighborhoods.Residentsintheseareasoftenalsohavemorelimitedfinancialcapacitytoweatherorrecoverfromtheeconomicshocksimposedbydisasters.10

Whencreatinghousing resilience, cities shouldconsidermeasures toensure that structural improvementsdonotcompromiseaffordabilitybyraisingthecosts tobuildhousingorbycontributingtodisplacementthroughgentrification.Torespondtothesechallenges,thegroupaddressedthreeprimaryquestions:(1)whatexistingeffortsarecitiesundertaking topromoteandmaintain resilientaffordablehousing; (2)whatare theprincipalbarriers to creating affordable, resilient housing; and (3) what support do cities need to promote resilientaffordablehousing?Outofthesetopics,threetakeawaysemerged:

CommunityExamplesNewYorkCityHousingAuthority,NY

TheNewYorkCityHousingAuthorityhasworkedtoimplementacomprehensiveandinnovativegreeninfrastructureprojectonpublichousingcampusesthatweredamagedduringHurricaneSandythroughits“StormwaterManagementThroughPlacemaking”project.Theplannedinvestmentwouldreducefloodrisksduringheavydownpoursandalsoprovideeverydaygreenspace,recreationalamenities,andjob-trainingopportunities.NYCHAisstrugglingtoidentifysourcesoffundingtosupportthiswork.

Pittsburgh,PA

In2015,theCityofPittsburghlaunchedtheP4Initiative,aframeworkthatfocusesonpeople,planet,place,andperformance.Asthecityisexperiencingasignificantamountofnewgrowth,themeasuresaredesignedtoensurethatnewdevelopmentbenefitsallpeople,enhancesasenseofplace,contributestoahealthierplanet,andachievesthehighestlevelsoffinancialandsocialperformance.Tosupportthesegoals,Pittsburghdevelopedperformancemetricsthatfeedintoascoringsystemthatinformspublicinvestmentsforthecity().Anumberofthesemetricssupportresiliencybyencouragingmoregreenandopenspace.Forexample,aprojectcanreceiveupto4pointsforusinggreeninfrastructure(basedonpercentageofrainfallthecanbecaptured),1pointforon-siteretention,and2pointsforcreatingurbanopenspace(meantforrecreation).Notably,projectsalsogetpointsforcreatingjobsandcareeropportunities.

Baltimore,MD

Baltimorehasa“VacantstoValue”program,inwhichthecityisstreamliningtheprocesstoputapropertyintoreceivershipsothatnon-profits,developers,andhomebuyerscanuseasuiteofincentivestorehabilitateandreusetheproperty.Baltimorerecognizedthatblightcanbedestructiveforwholeneighborhoodsbydecreasingpropertyvalues.Thisprogramnotonlyfocusesonimprovingthehousingstockandencouragingmorewidespreadredevelopment,butalsoaimstoincreaseandimprovepublicspace.Theprogramincludesan“adopt-a-lot”programthatallowscommunitymemberstocreatecommunitygardensandneighborhoodgreenspacesoncity-ownedlots.Afteralothasbeenmaintainedforfiveyears,communitymemberscanapplytohaveitprotectedasalandtrustthroughthecity.Thecurrentprogramconnectscommunitymemberswithlandscapearchitectswhohaveidentifiedeightdifferentwaystorepurposevacantlots.


§ Although low- and moderate-income communities are likely to experience greater risks from climatechange,fewplaceshavefocusedontheuniquechallengesclimatechangewillposeforthequantityandqualityofaffordablehousing.

§ Thebiggestchallengestodevelopingandmaintainingresilientaffordablehousingarethesamechallengesthatcities,planners,andcommunitieshaveexperiencedwhenattemptingtopromoteaffordablehousingmore generally: lack of funding and political pushback over the creation of additional density and thesitingofaffordablehousingdevelopments.

§ City officials should be sensitive to the potential for unintended consequences from efforts to addressclimatechangeinlow-andmoderateincomecommunities.Forexample,buyoutprogramscancontributetosocialdislocationifbought-outhomeownersrelocateoutoftheirneighborhoodsandawayfromtheirfamily,neighbors,andothercommunityconnections.

Although the group identified numerous existing programs and policies aimed atmaintaining and expandingsupplies of affordable housing, participants did not report any affordable housing programs that werespecifically intendedtobolsterclimateresilience.Amongthe initiativesthegroup identified,however,severalcould potentially be adjusted to accommodate, or even foster, resiliencemeasures. The initiatives discussedincludedthefollowing:

§ Usinginclusionaryzoningtorequirethatacertainshareofnewconstructionbeaffordableandresilienttoclimate impactscanbeawayto increasesafehousingoptionsfor lowormoderate incomehouseholds.Alternatively,assessingspecialdevelopment feesthatcanbedirectedtowardsbuildingmoreaffordablehousing can help ensure a larger supply of affordable units. The regulations governing these programscould be drafted to include climate resilience for new units. (The group noted, however, that theseinitiatives may be insufficient to meet the full need for affordable housing. First, not enough newconstruction will take place in most communities to meet the existing need for affordable housing.Second,inclusionaryzoningpoliciesgenerateaffordablehousingonlywhenlocaldemandisstrongenoughto drive new construction.High demand, however, also drives higher housing prices overall,whichwillplacemoreandmorehousingoutoffinancialreachforlowandmoderate-incomeresidents.)11

§ Amending zoning laws to increase allowable residential density could help increase affordable housingsupply. Some of these efforts include allowing additional dwelling units on single lots and reducing oreliminatingparkingrequirementsfornewconstructionaroundtransittoreducecostsfordevelopers.12Tothe extent that increased density is targeted in areas less likely to experience climate impacts—forexample,highanddrytoavoidflooding—thiscouldbeaneffectivemethodtoimproveresilienceforlow-andmoderate-incomeresidents.

§ Passing anti-retaliation ordinances makes it easier for tenants to report housing and building codeviolations,includingviolationsofregulationsrelatedtoclimateresilience,suchasrequirementstoprovideworkingairconditioning,toelevateelectricalsystemsoutofbasementsthataresusceptibletoflooding,toinstallshatter-resistantwindows,ortoweatherizeunits.


§ Existing federal funding programs, such as traditional housing retrofits initiatives through the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME and Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) programs, represent an important source of funding for themaintenance and improvement ofaffordablehousingstocks.ThegroupnotedthatHUD’sRentalAssistanceDemonstration(RAD)maypointthe way to future resilience investments in low- andmoderate-income housing. RAD aims to leveragepublic and private investments by converting housing units to private ownership under the Section 8HousingChoiceVoucher(HCV)program,whichprovidessubsidiestolow-incomeresidentstorenthousingin the private market. HCV already includes certain housing quality requirements to promote safe,sanitary,andcomfortableconditions.13HUDcouldincorporateresiliencerequirementsintothisprogram,andprovidefundingsimilartopasteffortstosupportweatherizationandenergyefficiencyinHCVunitstoencouragelandlordstoparticipate.

The most significant barriers to resilient affordable housing identified by participants mirrored barriers thatfrequentlyexistforaffordablehousingmoregenerally.Effortstoincreasethesupplyofaffordablehousing,suchas increasing residential density, often encounter political resistance. Participants also indicated that there isalready a lack of available funding to build, subsidize, andmaintain affordable housing. This lack of fundingappliesequallytoresilienceeffortsforlow-andmoderate-incomehousing.Participantsnotedthatthefundingthatdoesexist,suchasCDBG,isoftenusedtofundmanycompetingcitypriorities,suchasinvestmentstobuildorretrofitinfrastructure.

Participantsobservedthatascitiespreparefortheimpactsofclimatechange,specialattentionmustbepaidtolow-andmoderate-incomecommunities.Thesecommunitiesarefrequentlyonthefrontlines—theyarelocatedinlessdesirableareasatrisktonaturalhazards,suchasflooding.ThegrouppointedtoNewOrleans’low-lyingLower Ninth Ward, vast swaths of which were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. The group expressedconcernthatpatternsoflocatinglower-incomecommunitiesinmorevulnerableareascouldbeexacerbatedinthefutureastherealestatemarketbeginstoincreasinglyfactorclimaterisksintohousingprices,leadingsomeexposedareastoloserealestatevalue.Notonlyaresomelow-andmoderate-incomecommunitiesatgreaterrisk, theyalso face financial constraints that reduce their capacity tomitigate their risksbeforeadisaster, tomaintaininsurancecoverage,andtorecoverafterdisasters.

Finally, the group stressed that climate-resilience efforts must be carefully designed because they have thecapacitytoharmlow-andmoderate-incomecommunitiesbyraisingthecostofhousing.Increasescouldeitherbedirect(e.g.,byrequiringretrofits)orindirect(e.g.,bymakingneighborhoodsmoredesirableand,therefore,moreexpensive).Participantsindicatedthatdataandmonitoringareneededtoassesstheimpactsofresilienceinvestmentsontheaffordabilityofhousing.Datathatwillhelpcitiesdeterminethescopeoftheproblemwillmakehelpcitiesaddressthesechallenges.Thegroupalsonotedthatwhencitiesconductbuyoutsofvulnerableproperties,theyshouldconsiderdisplacementandthepotentialimpactsonsocialcohesion.


CommunityExamplesNewOrleans,LA

NewOrleansdecisionmakersunderstandthatthecitymustfigureouthowtolivewithwater.Partofitsstrategymustinvolveretrofittinghomestobetterwithstandflooding.Oneofthedifficultiesthecityfacesishowtofinancetheseretrofits,sincethecostscanbeprohibitiveformanypropertyowners.NewOrleansisexploringusingthePropertyAssessedCleanEnergy(PACE)financingmodeltosupportfloodmitigationretrofits.ManyjurisdictionshavesuccessfullyusedPACEfinancingtosupportenergyefficiencyretrofits,butuseofthisstrategytofinancefloodretrofitswouldbeanovelapproachthathasonlybeenauthorizedinacoupleofstates.NewOrleansisalsoconsideringhowtocraftaPACEprogramthatcandistributeresourcesequitablytolower-andmoderate-incomehomeownerswhohavethegreatestneedbutwhomayhavelowercreditratingsandthereforemaynotqualifyforloans.Additionally,someresidentsmayneedadditionalassistancefillingoutthecomplexpaperworkthatcanberequiredtoapplyfortheseprograms.NewOrleansisexploringaPACEmodelusedbySanFranciscotofinanceseismicretrofits.


CreatingaCommunityofPracticeTheworkshopincludedadiscussionofwaystoencouragemoreprogressonequitableclimateadaptationgoingforward.TheGeorgetownClimateCenterpresentedabeta-versionofaweb-basedportal“AdaptationEquityPortal”thatwillbepartofitsAdaptationClearinghouse(www.adaptationclearinghouse.org).Theportalwillorganizeandshowcaseresourcesaimedataddressingclimateadaptationusingasocialjusticeandequitylens.Overthenextfewmonths,GCCwillbeworkingwithitsenvironmentaljusticeadvisorygroupandUSDNcitiestobuildandrefinethisportal.

Mock-upoftheAdaptationEquityPortalonGCC’sAdaptationClearinghouse.


Basedonourliteraturereviewandworkshopdiscussion,itisclearthatequityisanemergingissueinthefieldofadaptationand,asaresult,therearefewexistingresourcesandtoolsspecifictothistopic.GCChasidentified140potentialresourcestoincludeintheClimateEquityPortal,butonly25ofthese140resourcesexplicitlyaddressequityconcernsinthecontextofadaptingtotheimpactsofclimatechange.

Manyoftheexistingresourcesfocusonanalyzingtheproblemandthechallengesofdisproportionateclimatechangerisks.Somefocusonhowtobuildequitythroughtheplanningprocess.Fewresources,however,provideconcretestrategiesforconsideringequityinadaptationplansandpolicies.Therearelimitedexamplesoffundingopportunitiesorexamplesofconcreteprograms,policies,laws,orregulationsthathavebeenadoptedtopromoteequityintheclimateadaptationcontext.GCCwillcontinuetoassessthefieldandworkwithpartnerstoaddressthesegaps.Additionally,GCCwillworktocreateadditionalresources(likecasestudies)tocapturethegreatworkcitiesarealreadydoingthatmightnotbecapturedbyexistingplans,assessments,reports,formalfundingprograms,orlawsandpolicies.

GCCused the final session topresent its AdaptationClearinghouse equity portal project and to collect initialfeedbackonwhatresourcesshouldgointothedatabase.Thegroupidentifiedtheresourcesbelow:

Resources:

§ GovernmentAllianceonRaceandEquity:AdvancingRacialEquityandTransformingGovernment:http://racialequityalliance.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/GARE-Resource_Guide.pdf;ContractingforEquity:BestLocalGovernmentPracticesthatAdvanceRacialEquityinGovernmentContractingandProcurement:http://racialequityalliance.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GARE-Contract_For_Equity.pdf

§ RaceForward:GreenEquityToolkit:AdvancingRace,GenderandEconomicEquityintheGreenEconomy:https://www.raceforward.org/research/reports/green-equity-toolkit-advancing-race-gender-and-economic-equity-green-economy

§ CenterforSocialInclusion:Energydemocracy:Co-OpPower:Aprofileincooperativeownership:http://www.centerforsocialinclusion.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Energy-Democracy-Co-op-Power.pdf;Let’sTalkAboutRace:HowRaciallyExplicitMessagingCanAdvanceEquity:https://www.centerforsocialinclusion.org/lets-talk-about-race-how-racially-explicit-messaging-can-advance-equity/

§ CityofOakland:Community-BasedClimateAdaptationPlanning:CaseStudyofOakland,California:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/community-based-climate-adaptation-planning-case-study-of-oakland-california.html

§ MovementStrategyCenter:Community-DrivenClimateResiliencePlanning:AFramework:http://movementbuilding.movementstrategy.org/media/docs/7933_MSC-Community-CRPlanning.pdf

§ CityofDetroit:FoundationsforCommunityClimateAction:DefiningClimateChangeVulnerabilityinDetroit:http://graham.umich.edu/media/files/ClimateChateActionDetroit.pdf;DetroitEnvironmentalAgenda:http://detroitenv.org/read-the-report/#wpcf7-f645-p119-o1


§ NationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnology:CommunityResilienceEconomicDecisionGuideforBuildingsandInfrastructureSystems:http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.1197.pdf

§ CityofPortland:June2015ClimateActionPlan:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/city-of-portland-and-multnomah-county-climate-action-plan-2015.html

§ PolicyLinksEquityAtlas:NationalEquityAtlas:http://nationalequityatlas.org/

§ FullEmploymentforAll:TheSocialandEconomicBenefitsofRaceandGenderEquityinEmployment:http://www.policylink.org/sites/default/files/Full_Employment_for_All.pdf

§ AngelaParks:Everybody’sMovement-EnvironmentalJusticeandClimateChange:https://www.energyactioncoalition.org/sites/wearepowershift.org/files/everybodysmovement_AngelaPark.pdf

§ MichiganDepartmentofHealth:MichiganClimateandHealthyAdaptationPlan(2010-2015StrategicPlan):http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/michigan-climate-and-health-adaptation-plan-mi-chap-2010-2015-strategic-plan.html

§ Maryland’sCoastSmartProgram:MarylandDNRCoastSmartCommunitiesInitiative:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/maryland-dnr-coast-smart-communities-initiative.html;CommunityScorecard:http://dnr2.maryland.gov/ccs/coastsmart/Documents/scorecard.pdf

§ CityofBaltimore:Baltimore’sDisasterPreparednessandPlanningProject:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/baltimore-s-disaster-preparedness-and-planning-project-dp3.html

§ CityandCountyofSanFrancisco:SFHeatVulnerabilityIndex:http://sfgov.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=49b24eda433143808a9e4fd29ba417bd&extent=-122.5563,37.7082,-122.3027,37.8261;Climate&HealthUnderstandingtheRisk:AnAssessmentofSanFrancisco’sVulnerabilitytoExtremeHeatEvents:http://empowersf.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SFDPH-climate-and-health-report-2013.pdf;SFProgramOnHealth,EquityandSustainability(ORG):http://www.sfhealthequity.org/elements/climate

ParticipantsattheequityworkshoptookabreakfromtheconveningandconversationtotakeapicturewithBaltimore’ssustainabilityandresiliencychampionturtle,“Shelfie”.


§ TheNatureConservancy:CommunityResilienceBuildingWorkshopandGuide:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/community-resilience-building-workshop-and-guide.html

§ TheTrustforPublicLand:Climate–SmartCities:https://www.tpl.org/services/climate-smart-cities

§ TheWaterInstituteoftheGulf:TheWaterInstituteoftheGulf-LouisianaCoastalAdaptationToolkit:http://cdn.thewaterinstitute.org/files/pdfs/WaterInstitute_LACoastalAdaptationToolkit_3-31-2014.pdf

§ Kresge,IslandPress:BounceForward–UrbanResilienceinanEraofClimateChange:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/bounce-forward-eo-urban-resilience-in-an-era-of-climate-change.html

§ CityTreePlans:TheClevelandTreePlan:http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/sites/default/files/forms_publications/ClevelandTreePlan.pdf

§ CityofPittsburgh:PittsburghUrbanForestmasterPlan:https://issuu.com/treepittsburgh/docs/final_pittsburgh_urban_forest_management_plan_augu

§ DenverParks:Denver’sGamePlan-creatingastrategyforourfuture(DenverParks):https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-parks-and-recreation/planning/master-plans.html;seechapter7:https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/747/documents/planning/master_plans/game_plan/game_plan_7_equity.pdf

§ BayConservationandDevelopmentCommission:AdaptingtoRisingTidesWhitePaper—AddressingSocialVulnerabilityandEquityinClimateChangeAdaptationPlanning:http://www.adaptingtorisingtides.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ART_Equity_WhitePaper.pdf

§ CityofToronto:TorontoPublicHealthSocialImpactsofClimateChange;ExploringHealthandSocialImpactsofClimateChangeinToronto:http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-62786.pdf

§ StateofCalifornia:ClimateAdaptationGuide:IncludesaPublicHealth,Socioeconomic,andEquityImpactsFrame:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/california-climate-adaptation-planning-guide.html

§ USDN:EquityinSustainability:AUSDNCapacityBuildingProgram:http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/equity-in-sustainability-usdn-capacity-building-program.html

§ NewRiverValley:NewRiverValleycommunityengagementstrategy:http://public.imaginingamerica.org/blog/article/building-home-dramaturgy-for-theater-as-civic-practice/

§ EPACitizenScienceProgram:FactSheet:https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-02/documents/citizen-science-fact-sheet.pdf


Endnotes * This workshop summary report was written by Melissa Deas, institute associate, and Jessica Grannis, adaptation program manager, for

the Georgetown Climate Center; and Sara Hoverter, staff attorney, and Jamie DeWeese, climate policy fellow, at the Harrison Institute for Public Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. Editorial and writing support was provided by Georgetown Climate Center colleagues including Vicki Arroyo and Kathryn Zyla, and research and writing support from Georgetown University Law Center student Emily Griffith.

The authors would also like to acknowledge and thank our equity advisory team for their invaluable contributions and feedback on this report; this team includes representatives from the Urban Sustainability Director Network (including representatives from the cities of Seattle, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh), WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Emerald Cities Collaborative, the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy, Future Insight Consulting, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

1 Annan, K. Opening speech at COP 12. 12th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (2006, November 15 Nairobi, Kenya; Cleetus, R. Bueno, R. Dahl, K, Union of Concerned Scientists, Surviving and thriving in the face of rising seas: building resilience for communities on the front lines of climate change (2015) Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/global-warming/prepare-impacts/communities-on-front-lines-of-climate-change-sea-level-rise#.WIpDvRsrKUk

2 Klinenberg, E. (2015). Heat wave: a social autopsy of disaster in Chicago;Rubin, B. M., & Gorner, J. (2015, July 15). Fatal heat wave 20 years ago changed Chicago’s emergency response. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-heat-wave-20-years-later-met-20150715-story.html

3 Schillinger, H. (2015). Extreme Heat Scenario-Based Pilot Project in Frontline Communities: Community Driven Planning Process – Racial Equity Mini Evaluation. Retrieved August 10, 2016, from http://usdn.org/uploads/cms/documents/heat_sceanrio_racial_equity_evaluation_mini-report_-_final.pdf

4 This simplified spectrum of community engagement is adopted from Sherry Arnstein’s (1969) ladder of Citizen Participation Arnstein, Sherry R. "A Ladder of Citizen Participation," JAIP, Vol. 35, No. 4, July 1969, pp. 216-224. Arnstein argues that most community engagement processes do not actually give citizens any real power. Instead, they tend to be contrived processes that allow those in power to get credit for community engagement without actually taking any of the input into account. On the bottom two rungs, Arnstein describes engagement processes that simply aim to educate and convince, but do not actually ask for any real feedback. Above that, citizens are allowed to be heard, but there is no “muscle” to this feedback. In other words, citizen do not have any power to make actual decisions and their advice can easily be overridden. At the top of the ladder are community-driven processes in which citizen are granted the power to grapple with planning questions, devise solutions, and take steps to achieve those solutions with the support of public agencies.

5 San Antonio Local Ordinance Art. XII, “Local Preference Program,” http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/localsa/ordinance.pdf. 6 http://buildsagreen.org/. 7 Lea Reynolds, M.J. Bradley & Associates, LLC. (2013). Climate Change Preparedness and the Small Business Sector. Retrieved

November 21, 2016, from http://asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/small_business_climate_report.pdf 8 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2012) “Perspectives on Global Development 2012: Social Cohesion in a

Shifting World” Retrieved January 1, 2017, from: https://www.oecd.org/site/devpgd2012/49067954.pdf 9 Baussan, D. (2015). Social Cohesion: The Secret Weapon in the Fight for Equitable Climate Resilience. Center for American Progress.

Retrieved August 10, 2016, from http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/social-cohesion-the-secret-weapon-in-the-fight-for-equitable-climate-resilience.html

10 Hartman, C. W. (2006). There is no such thing as a natural disaster: Race, class, and Hurricane Katrina. Taylor & Francis. 11 Freeman, Lance and Schuetz, Jenny, Producing Affordable Housing in Rising Markets: What Works? at 14-16 (October 11, 2016);

available at https://ssrn.com/abstract=2851175. 12 For several examples, see “New Trend Eases Parking Requirements for U.S. Cities,” Building Design and Construction (Aug. 9, 2016),

http://www.bdcnetwork.com/new-trend-eases-parking-requirements-us-cities 13 U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (n.d.) Housing Quality Standards. Retrieved January 4, 2017, from

https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_9143.pdf

AdaptationEquityWorkshopSummary–February2017 i

AppendixA

WORKSHOPAGENDAOpportunitiesforEquitableClimateAdaptation

Workshoptime,date,andlocation:

• Day1–April6,2016(8:30amto5pm),SheratonInnerHarborHotel,300SouthCharlesStreet.Baltimore,MD• Day2–April7,2016(8:30amto2pm),CityofBaltimoreoffices;FrontBoardroom,417E.FayetteStreet,8thFloor

Overview:TheGeorgetownClimateCenter(GCC)andtheUrbanSustainabilityDirectorsNetwork(USDN)arehostingthisone-and-a-halfdayworkshoptodiscusshowcommunitiescanaddresstheinterconnectedchallengesofinequalityandclimatechangerisks.Thisworkshopwillbringtogethercityleaderswithenvironmentaljusticeorganizationsandstateandfederalpartnerstodiscussstrategiesforequitableclimatepreparedness.

Goals&Objectives:Thegoalofthisworkshopistoidentifywaysthatcitiescanensureequitablepreparednessandadaptationandtodevelopresources(portalsandmodels)thatareaccessibleandvaluabletocitiesandcommunity-basedorganizations.Theobjectivesofthisworkshopareto:

• Identifyfactorsthatcontributetocommunitiesfacingdisproportionaterisksofclimatechangeimpacts.• Identifyexamplesofequitableclimatepreparednessplanningandresourcesthatprovideguidance.• Helpcitiesengagewithdiversestakeholdersandtransitiontoacommunity-drivenplanningapproach.• Identifygapsinunderstandingofequitableadaptationplanningandpolicy.• Identifyanddiscussoptionstoreducedisproportionateburdensfromclimatechangeimpactsandensurethatplanningand

policiesadoptedinresponsetoclimatechangedonotexacerbateorcreateinequities;andhelpparticipantsreplicateandscaleequitableadaptationpolicies.

• InformdevelopmentofanonlineequityportalwithinGCC’sAdaptationClearinghouseto(1)helppractitionersidentifygoodexamplesandresources,and(2)informresearchandotheractivitiesofGCCandotherorganizationstocontinuetohelpcitiesadvancetheirworkontheseissues.

Day1–Agenda:

8:30am:Registrationandbreakfast

9:00am:Welcome,introductions,workshopgoals,anddescriptionofUSDNandGCCprojects

9:30–10:30am:Climatechangeanddisproportionateimpacts• Short-presentationbyequityandsocialjusticepartners.

Structuralracismandbiasingovernmentthatcanleadtodisproportionaterisksandvulnerability• Groupdiscussion–disproportionateimpactsandsourcesofcommunityresilience

10:30–10:45am:Break

10:45–12:15pm:Equitableadaptationplanningandcommunityengagement• Short-presentationbycitiesandsocialjusticepartners.

Strategiesandcommunityengagementprocessestosupportequitableadaptation.• Break-outdiscussions–equitableplanningandmeaningfulcommunityengagement

12:15–1:30pm:Lunchtimepaneldiscussion:Equitableadaptationplanningbyenvironmentaljusticepartners

1:30–2:00pm:Opportunitiesforcitiestoimplementequitableadaptationpolicies• Shortpresentations:

o GCCintroductiontotherangeofpoliciesthatcitiesareimplementingorconsideringo Citiespresentadaptationpoliciestheyareimplementing,howthosepoliciesareaddressingtherootcausesof

disproportionateclimatevulnerabilityandensurethatthebenefitsandburdensoftheactionsareequitablyshared,andthesuccessesandobstaclestheyhaveencountered

2:00-3:00pm:Break-outdiscussions–equitableadaptationpolicies1. Promotingeconomicdevelopmentthroughresilience(e.g.,localhire,trainingprograms,etc.)2. Avoidingdisplacementandensuringaffordable,resilienthousing(e.g.,inclusionaryzoning,resilienthousing

construction,anti-displacement,etc.)3. Usingopenspacetopromoteequity&adaptation(e.g.,vacantlandreuse,greeninfrastructure,etc.)4. Buildingsocialresilience(e.g.,drawingonlocalknowledge,neighborhoodplans,preparingcommunitymembers

tobefirstresponders,etc.)

3:00–3:15pm:Break

3:15–5:00pm:Reflections,communityofpractice,andequityportal• Reportout–facilitatorsfrombreak-outdiscussionreportbackkeylessonsfrombreak-outsessions• Short-presentation–GCCdiscussesequitableadaptationresourcesandtheclimateadaptationportal• Groupdiscussion–toolsandresourcestohelpcommunitiesintegrateequityinadaptationplanningandpolicies

5:00pm:Concludingremarks,GCCnextsteps,tomorrow’sagenda,andadjourn

5:30–7:30pm:Networkhappyhour(TírnanÓgBaltimore:201EPrattSt,Baltimore,MD21202)

Day2–Agenda:

8:30–9:00am:MorningReflection• Whatdidwehearyesterdayandwhatresonates?• What(andwho)didwemiss?• Whattopics/contentwasmissingfromtheconversation?

9:00–11:00am:EquitableClimatePreparednessPlanningModelDevelopmentandDesign

• Presentation:existingclimatepreparednessmodels• Discusswhatanequitableclimatepreparednessplanningmodelis:

o Whatareexistingmodelsthatmightbevaluabletoreview?o Whatshoulditinclude?o Howcanwedesignittomaximizeeffectivenessandusefulness?o Whatformatshoulditbeifitisanonlinetoolordocument?

11:00–noon:Evaluation&PilotTesting• EvaluationFrameworkdiscussion• Casestudytemplate–discussinformationneedswhilebalancingtimeandeffort

Noon–1:30pm:Lunch&PilotProjectSharing• Mini-presentationsfromcitiesimplementingpilots&groupbrainstormoneach(5x10minseach)

1:30–2:00pm:NextSteps• Projectschedule• InvolvementofNGOpartners• Waystocontinuecollaborationandinformation-sharingthroughouttheprocess

AppendixB

WorkshopParticipantList:

• DeniseFairchild,President&CEO,EmeraldCitiesCollaborative• FelipeFloresca,VicePresident,PolicyandGovernmentAffairs,EmeraldCitiesCollaborative• AurashKhawarzad,PolicyAdvocacyCoordinator,WEACTforEnviornmentalJustice• JacquiPatterson,DirectoroftheNAACPEnvironmentalandClimateJusticeProgram,NAACP• KimberlyKnottHill,Owner,FutureInsightConsulting• ColettePichon-Battle,ExecutiveDirector,GulfCoastCenterforLaw&Policy• JaredGenova,100ResilientCitiesFellow,CityofNewOrleans• TracyMorgenstern,StrategicAdvisor,OfficeofSustainability,CityofSeattle• KristinBaja,ClimateandResiliencePlannerandFloodplainManager,CityofBaltimore• MatthewGray,Director,Mayor'sOfficeofSustainability,CityofCleveland• CeliaVanDerLoop,EnvironmentalProjectManager,CityandCountyofDenver• DanielGuilbeault,Chief,Sustainability&EquityBranch,DCDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentWashington,DC• RondaChapman,CommunityEngagement&EquityAdvisor,DCDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironment,Washington,DC• StewartDutfield,ProjectLead–Resilience,CityofToronto• EloisaPortillo-Morales,SustainabilityPlanningManager,CityofSanAntonio• LeahBamberger,DirectorofSustainability,CityofProvidence• MiaGoldwasser,ClimatePreparednessProgramManager,CityofBoston• RebeccaKiernan,SeniorResilienceCoordinator,CityofPittsburgh• MicheleMoore,SeniorAdvisorforVPforDisasterRecovery,NewYorkCityHousingAuthority• GarrettFitzgerald,StrategicPartnershipsAdvisor,UrbanSustainabilityDirectorsNetwork• AlbertoRodriquez,EnvironmentalandCommunityHealthProgramsManager,DuwamishRiverCleanupCoalition• MirandaPeterson,ResearchAssistance,CenterforAmericanProgress• HeidiSchillinger,SocialEntrepreneur,EquityMatters• StuartClarke,ExecutiveDirector,TownCreekFoundation• BethHarber,SeniorProgramOfficer,AbellFoundation• LynnHeller,VicePresident,AbellFoundation• SarikaTandon,ProgramDirector,CenterforWholeCommunities• JalonneWhiteNewsome,SeniorProgramOfficer,EnvironmentalProgram,KresgeFoundation• EricYurkovich,SeniorAssociate,Raimi&Associates• BethAltshuler,SeniorAssociate,Raimi&Associates• SunareeMarshall,SeniorAdvisorOfficeofEconomicResileince,HUD• ErinShew,ClimatePreparednessFellow,WhiteHouseCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality• ArtvonLehe,ProgramSpecialist,OfficeofPolicy&ProgramAnalysis,FEMA• PaulSchramm,HealthScientist,ClimateandHealthProgram,CDC• CareyWhitehead,DeputyAssociateDirectorforClimateEquity,WhiteHouseCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality• TheGeorgetownClimateCenterTeamfacilitatingthiseventincludes:VickiArroyo,ExecutiveDirector;KateZyla,Deputy

Director;JessicaGrannis,AdaptationProgramManager;MelissaDeas,InstituteAssociate;andSaraHoverter,SeniorFellowandAdjunctProfessor,andJamieDeWeese,ClimatePolicyFellow,forHarrisonInstituteforPublicLawatGeorgetownUniversityLawCenter.

TheGeorgetownClimateCenterisgratefulforgeneroussupportfromtheKresgeFoundation,theTownCreekFoundation,andtheotherfundersthatmakeourworkpossible.

ThisworkshopsummaryreportwaspreparedbyMelissaDeaswithsupportfromJessicaGrannis,JamieDeWeese,andSaraHoverter;pleasecontactMelissaDeas([email protected])withanyquestionsorcommentsaboutthisreport.