Adaptation Planning Paid Off for This Community

The Takeaway: NOAA tools were used to adjust building codes and land use policies, implement nature-based solutions, and incorporate climate change. Actions paid off when Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy hit. READ MORE

Bridgeport, Connecticut, officials understood the need to improve their climate preparedness. City leaders therefore held several climate preparedness workshops and identified the community’s top hazards and priorities for action. Particularly helpful was a NOAA Digital Coast “roadmap” process for adapting to coastal risk, which identified needs and a way forward in terms of coastal resilience.

The town’s top three hazards—coastal and inland flooding, storm surge from tropical storms and hurricanes, and rising seas and groundwater levels—were affirmed by Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy. Despite the storm impacts, the community had a head start in its path to resilience, thanks to the adaptation planning. Already in place were adjusted building codes and land use policies, nature-based solutions such as marsh advancement zones, and green infrastructure plans for managing stormwater. Climate change predictions were already factored into redevelopment and infrastructure plans. (2016)

Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Clean Air Cool Planet, Greater Bridgeport Regional Council, Regional Plan Association