Overview
Florida stands at the forefront of an unparalleled challenge. Over the next generation, Florida will experience inundation from coastal and inland flooding. It is not a question of if but when the next flood will occur. However, Florida continues to expand by nearly 1000 people per day, building in every region of the state. The U.S. Fourth National Climate Assessment asserts with high confidence that “the future pace of adaptation will depend on how effectively social, organizational, and economic conditions support implementation.” (USGCRP, 2018). As sea levels rise and flooding presents greater risk, how is Florida adapting its built environment to not only survive, but to thrive in these new conditions?
Across the state, inland and coastal communities both large and small are taking bold steps to prepare for a wetter future. This convening of practitioners, researchers, advocates, and community stakeholders will focus on projects in Florida that demonstrate a paradigm shift in addressing flooding impacts on community design, ecosystem restoration, housing, and infrastructural development.
During this conference, individuals and teams representing site-specific projects from across Florida’s diverse landscape will share their work, process, experiences, and results. In addition to providing participants with opportunities to cultivate new partnerships, this exchange of knowledge will result in the publication of a compilation of abstracts spotlighting solutions to flooding in Florida.
The goals of the symposium are:
Key Themes
Open and Public Space
Community design strategies that signal a departure from traditional approaches and reveal best practices for redefining spatial layout to mitigate flood risk.
Ecosystem Adaptation
Restoration and preservation of natural habitats that enhance resilience and provide benefits to people and ecosystems.
Housing and Buildings
Design for adaptation and novel building technologies supporting resilient housing and neighborhoods.
Transportation and Critical Infrastructure
Design and planning projects that ensure mobility, safety, clean water, energy or other essential services to communities.
Should Acts of God or natural or public health emergencies prevent this event from being held in-person, conference sessions will be held virtually via Zoom.
