CoPe Urban C5

Enhancing Urban Flood Resilience and Equity in Coastal Communities through the Co-Design of Community Capitals

Climate change poses a great threat to urban coastal communities.

Our Mission: strengthen urban flood resilience and promote equity by co-designing and implementing green infrastructure interventions that reflect and build upon community-identified assets and needs.

Enhancing Climate Change Resilience

Growing Climate Change Concerns:

rising sea levels, increasing tidal and storm-related flooding
more frequent and severe rainfall and storms
increased storm surges, pushing seawater further inland
coastal erosion, leading to land loss and increased flooding

Results:

economic disruption impacting businesses, residential area, and critical public infrastructure
floodwaters can mobilize contaminants, elevating health concerns

Pictured Right: Mika Baumeister courtesy of Unsplash

Coastlines and People CoPe Urban C5 Research Project

Enhancing Urban Flood Resilience and Equity in Coastal Communities through the Co-Generation of Community Capitals.

Project Overview

Communities with limited access to resources and infrastructure investments are often disproportionately affected by flood risks.

Ensuring equitable distribution of sustainable infrastructure is essential for effective flood mitigation and response efforts.

Equity

Disparities in flood exposure and adaptive capacity are often shaped by socioeconomic and historical factors

Goals:

Fair Access to Resources
Inclusive Decision-Making
Risk Reduction for Vulnerable Populations

Equity in the context of climate change and coastal flooding aims to ensure adaptation measures do not unintentionally reinforce existing inequalities, so that no one community is disproportionately affected by the adverse impacts. It seeks to create a more just and inclusive approach to building resilience and adapting to the challenges posed by a changing climate.

Pictured Left: Markus Spiske courtesy of Unsplash

Coastal Community Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia, experiences recurrent flooding driven by sea-level rise and intensified storm events. The city has demonstrated a commitment to resilience through its participation in initiatives such as the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities. Norfolk’s history—including patterns of racial segregation, unequal infrastructure investment, and environmental exposure—has contributed to disparities in flood vulnerability and adaptive capacity across neighborhoods. These historical dynamics continue to influence the city’s built environment, land use decisions, and climate adaptation strategies. As such, Norfolk offers a meaningful context for studying how equitable, community-informed resilience efforts can address both present-day flood risks and legacies of uneven development.

Norfolk stands as a valuable case study in our research. Our overarching goal is to develop methods and insights that can be effectively applied to other coastal communities confronted with similar challenges.

Pictured Right: Watersheds in Norfolk, VA courtesy of Norfolk.gov

Green Infrastructure Benefits

Benefits of Green Infrastructure | US EPA

linked to improved physical, social and mental health: reduced stress levels and enhanced overall well-being
absorb and slow down stormwater runoff, reducing the risk of flash floods and overflow of drainage systems during heavy rainfall events
filter and purify rainwater, reducing the pollution of rivers and streams
natural vegetation and soil in green spaces act as filters, trapping sediment and pollutants carried by stormwater runoff
replenishing groundwater by allowing stormwater to percolate into the soil
provide habitat for various plant and animal species
improve the visual appeal of urban areas, enhancing quality of life