This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.
| Option from plan | Hazards Sort descending | Assets | Region | Source Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map urban temperatures to understand where residents might be most vulnerable to extreme urban heat. | Extreme Heat | People | Southeast | City of Richmond Climate Action Plan (p. 273) |
| Regularly update flood-prone area maps to incorporate the latest data near creeks, shorelines and other emerging urban flooding areas. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Northwest | City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 23 (pdf p. 38)) |
| Ensure locally produced maps in planning and project documents include the latest storm surge and sea level rise projections. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Southeast | Southeast Florida Compact Regional Climate Action Plan - Energy and Fuel |
| Work with local, state and federal partners to update floodplain data, maps, policies and programs to reflect climate change projections and variability and improve floodplain function. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Northwest | City of Portland's Climate Emergency Workplan (p. 11) |
| In coastal communities, identify areas of the community in need of flood protection or absorption. Identify potential solutions for each area. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Transportation and MobilityMultiple or All Assets | Southeast | Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 182) |
| Enhance data collection by identifying locations of recurring nuisance flooding. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Multiple or All AssetsProperty | Southeast | Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 115) |
| Create future flood maps to support planning, policy and regulation. The flood maps should show the extent and depth of future flooding. They might include indications of wave action, moving water and | Flooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Northeast | Climate Ready Boston - Resilience Initiatives (p. 84–85 (pdf p. 6)) |
| Develop flood risk mapping system or process that is tailored to specific needs and is frequently updated. Use it to point citizens to the most accurate elevation data for their parcels or a process for | Flooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Southeast | City of Alexandria, Virginia Energy & Climate Change Action Plan |
| Create updated local flood maps to support planning, policy, and regulation. | Flooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Northeast | Climate Ready Boston - Resilience Initiatives (p. 84–85 (pdf p. 6)) |
| Partner with FEMA to share flood maps with the community and adopt new maps. | Flooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Southeast | Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 187) |
| Incorporate the impact of anticipated development in flood modeling and flood maps. Local regulations may refer to these maps, even if they do not align with Flood Insurance Rate Maps. | Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Property | Southeast | Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 114) |
| Develop flood risk mapping system (assessment) or process that is tailored to specific needs and is frequently updated. This can be used to point citizens to the most accurate elevation data for their | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Property | Southeast | Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 179 (pdf p. 191)) |
| Maintain a jurisdiction-wide repository for landslide data, including the locations and dates of slides and observations about factors that may have contributed to their occurrence. | Landslides | Multiple or All Assets | Northwest | City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 23 (pdf p. 38)) |
| Develop or update the jurisdiction's landslide study to reflect current and projected climate conditions. | Landslides | Energy and UtilitiesMultiple or All Assets | Northwest | City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 23 (pdf p. 38)) |
| Collaborate with state resource management agencies and partner institutions to map landslide risk along transmission line rights-of-way and critical access roads. Include research on the effects of heavier | Landslides | Transportation and MobilityCritical FacilitiesEnergy and Utilities | Northwest | City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 27 (pdf p. 61)) |
| Consult local experts such as public works and planning departments or state geological staff to identify areas of your community at high risk for erosion or landslides. | LandslidesErosion – Coastal | Multiple or All Assets | National | HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 27) |
| Prepare geohazard designation mapping. Use these maps to update zoning codes and building regulations. | LandslidesErosion – Coastal | Property | Juneau's Changing Climate and Community Response (p. 27) | |
| Ensure land use maps include local assets and identify areas that are projected to be vulnerable to sea level rise and wildfire hazards. Towns, cities and counties can collaborate to identify incentives | Multiple or All Hazards | Multiple or All AssetsProperty | ||
| Map areas that provide ecosystem services, such as remnant spring, wetland and late successional forest habitats. Protect these areas through improved public lands management and ownership strategies | Shifting Species, Habitats, and Ecosystems | Agriculture and Food SupplyUrban Landscape and Tree CanopyAquatic and Marine ResourcesNatural Areas and Wildlife | Northwest | Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan (p. 85) |
This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.
| Option from plan | Hazards Sort descending | Assets | Region | Source Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch a “Green Alleys” program. The program could offer garden materials and help coordinate volunteer labor to residents wanting to convert neighborhood alleyways to green space or green infrastructure. | Air PollutionWater PollutionExtreme HeatFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Transportation and MobilityUrban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | |
| Encourage the use of a splash block made of stone or other hard material to direct runoff and minimize the potential for erosion. | Erosion – Coastal | Property | National | HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 29) |
| Support neighborhood green infrastructure grants and ongoing maintenance. | Extreme HeatFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Midwest | Columbus, OH Climate Action Plan |
| Increase the amount of ground cover and understory plantings for their water retention capacity. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife | Northwest | Washington Coast Resilience Action Demonstration Project |
| Implement green infrastructure projects on public housing properties that have been damaged by past floods. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | PeopleProperty | Midwest | Cleveland Climate Action Plan |
| Install rain gardens and develop parks with a purpose to help mitigate nuisance flooding. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyNatural Areas and Wildlife | Southeast | |
| Establish or enhance programs to link, manage and expand existing parks and preserves to help manage stormwater. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyAquatic and Marine ResourcesNatural Areas and WildlifeWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | National | HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 15) |
| Provide outreach, education and technical assistance for best practices in stormwater management and green infrastructure. | Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Water Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | State of Louisiana Regional Adaptation Strategy (p. 106) |
| Replace asphalt and concrete with bricks (i.e., permeable pavers) on roads and walkways to allow water to pass through. | Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Transportation and MobilityUrban Landscape and Tree Canopy | Southeast | (p. 88) |
| Develop a free rain garden program using fees and grants that provides materials and training. | Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyNatural Areas and WildlifeWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 202 (pdf p. 214)) |
| Hold water where it falls. Encourage the use of innovative on-site water capture and retention strategies. Such strategies can provide relief to overburdened stormwater systems and reduce downstream watershed | Flooding – General | Water Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southern Great Plains | Resilient Houston (p. 97 (pdf p. 99)) |
| Incentivize private property owners to install green infrastructure through zoning or other mechanisms. | Flooding – General | Property | Southeast | Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 179) |
| Launch a program that encourages vegetative urban landscaping, pervious surfaces and down spout disconnection to help manage stormwater onsite. | Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyProperty | Southeast | Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 116) |
| Encourage the use of rain gardens, vegetation, landscaping, or other techniques that can “Soak Up the Rain” and manage stormwater runoff. | Flooding – General | Natural Areas and Wildlife | National | HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 17) |
| Reduce local flooding through implementation of low impact development. | Flooding – General | Multiple or All Assets | Southwest | Statewide Summary Report: California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment |
| NORA is transforming vacant lots into rain gardens that draw runoff from the street store it temporarily, and capture many of the pollutants it carries. | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Property | Southeast | |
| Complete Streets projects (a project in West Palm Beach) should consider tiered and adaptive LID elements that provide strong aesthetic and treatment benefits. The 50-year hydrologic performance of all | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Transportation and Mobility | Southeast | West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan |
| Create green infrastructure incentives or requirements for new development. | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Natural Areas and Wildlife | Southeast | Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 180 (pdf p. 192)) |
| Green infrastructure, green roofs, rain barrels (trees, improve stormwater infrastructure, improve LID/green infrastructure) | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Water Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 118) |
| Implement green infrastructure strategies recommended for City owned roads. | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Transportation and Mobility | Southeast | Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 184) |
| Incorporate green infrastructure in urban landscape change and capital improvements. | Flooding – Rainfall-induced | Transportation and Mobility | Southeast | Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 118) |
| Maximize the planning and implementation of green infrastructure at the watershed scale and site-specific locations. Green infrastructure helps manage stormwater on site, can improve water quality, can | Water PollutionExtreme HeatFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southwest | Climate Resilient San Diego (p. 54 (pdf p. 60)) |
| Develop and implement a jurisdiction-wide green infrastructure plan that supports vegetation-based stormwater management best practices and strategies for managing urban heat. | Water PollutionExtreme HeatFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Midwest | Detroit Climate Action Plan (p. 49) |
| Explore possible locations for the creation of bioswales to absorb storm runoff. | Water PollutionDroughtFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Northern Great Plains | Spearfish, SD Climate Resiliency Plan |
| Create a green infrastructure and fee credit program for water retention. Consider expanding the program to include water treatment incentives. | Water PollutionFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Natural Areas and WildlifePropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 180 (pdf p. 192)) |
| Use green infrastructure in public spaces and streets to reduce stormwater runoff in historically underserved neighborhoods. | Water PollutionFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyPeopleWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | |
| Incentivize private property owners to implement green infrastructure (GI) and stormwater best practices through a reduced stormwater fee incentive program, zoning or other mechanisms. Encourage GI installations | Water PollutionExtreme HeatFlooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyAquatic and Marine ResourcesPropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 180) |
| Promote green infrastructure (GI) for residential, commercial and golf course properties. Encourage GI installations such as wetlands, supply canals and lakes, green roofs, rain barrels and trees. GI | Water Pollution | Property | Southeast | West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan |
| Implement green infrastructure strategies on properties owned by the local government. Green infrastructure helps manage stormwater on site and it offers cooling benefits during hot weather. | Water PollutionExtreme HeatFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyCritical FacilitiesPropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 183) |
| Increase urban green space to reduce runoff, promote groundwater recharge and reduce drought impacts. Examples might include using permeable streets and increasing greenery and water retention basins | Water PollutionDroughtFlooding – General | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyMultiple or All AssetsWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | National | HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 24) |
| Build partnerships with local nonprofits to increase opportunities for implementing green infrastructure. Green infrastructure helps manage stormwater on site, can improve water quality, can help protect | Water PollutionExtreme HeatFlooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyPropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Southeast | Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 119) |
| Adopt low-impact development (LID) standards, add incentives and remove regulatory barriers (e.g., in the zoning ordinance) to encourage green infrastructure, especially in low lying areas. Green infrastructure | Water PollutionFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced | Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyNatural Areas and WildlifePropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater | Northwest | Washington Coast Resilience Action Demonstration Project |
Explore examples of resilience strategies identified in published plans from across the country. The actions identified in this collection inform the Options Database.
Explore past, present, and projected future climate in easy-to-understand maps and graphs. This Storymap can help you get started.
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A website with interactive maps and resources to help understand and reduce wildfire risk.
