RECOMMENDATIONS Resilient Tampa Bay

Transcription

1 RECOMMENDATIONS Resilient Tampa Bay Workshop 21 st 23 rd February 2011

2 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the lessons learned from the 'Resilient Tampa Bay 2011'- A knowledge exchange with Dutch experts held between 21 st and 23 rd February 2011 at the Patel Center for Global Solutions in Tampa Florida. The report presents the outcomes from the discussions held within the geo-focal groups namely 'Tampa Bay region', 'Tampa', 'St. Petersburg', 'Gulf Beach Communities' and the panel discussions on 'urban flooding', 'storm surges' and 'sea level rise'. The objectives of the workshop were to Determine the pressures and impacts that make Tampa Bay vulnerable Establish progress towards improving resiliency in Tampa Bay Establish existing visions and solutions for improvement of Tampa Bay resiliency Recommend the next steps for improving resiliency in Tampa Bay 2.0 VULNERABILITY During the preparation of the workshop the planning committee identified three key impacts, which affect the vulnerability of Tampa Bay. These included: Urban flooding events caused by heavy rainfall events which induce frequent but limited local damages Storm surges caused by hurricanes with a low probability of occurrence but with high impact events that can lead to catastrophic flooding along the whole coast and Lastly, sea level rise caused by climate change is a long-term driver and will increase the already existing flooding problems. The importance of these key vulnerabilities was verified both in the panel discussions and the geo-focal discussion teams and included the following:- The cascading effects of impacts between different infrastructure systems in Tampa Bay need to be considered. Many critical infrastructure systems and other facilities like the port, airport, hospitals, water supply systems, waste water systems, power supply systems, business districts etc. with high site specific vulnerabilities are existing.. Identification of existing hot spots for urban flooding, storm surges and sea level rise in the different geofocal areas The damage and degradation of natural systems like the shrinkage of mangroves, or the development of the barrier islands have an impact on the vulnerability of Tampa Bay against flooding. Vulnerability against flooding comes along with a vulnerability of the regional economy. The economy in Tampa Bay is characterized by a lack of diversity with major businesses like tourism, agricultures, construction, fishery etc., which are climate sensitive. 2

3 3.0 THE STATUS OF RESILIENCY PLANNING Discussions and debates on the subject of resiliency planning were on: The need to develop a resiliency master plan-despite the existence of emergency plans and a catastrophe recovery program there is a need for more long-range planning and policies addressing resiliency. Lack of suitable data and information required to evaluate vulnerability and resiliency in Tampa Bay. Low awareness of the inhabitants and decision makers about the vulnerability of Tampa Bay since the last hurricane that hit Tampa Bay in In addition there is lack of risk perception among the Inhabitants coupled with the expectation of coverage of individual losses by the public in the case of a catastrophe. Prioritization of resilience planning. It was discussed, if for Tampa bay, a crisis has to first occur before the need for resiliency planning is realized or if resiliency planning could be driven by purpose and opportunity. 4.0 RESILIENT TAMPA BAY VISION From the workshop and or single goefocal areas no final visions for a resilient Tampa Bay were developed, however in the discussions several cornerstones of such a vision were visible. The goals for a resilient Tampa Bay as well as measures of how to improve resiliency were identified. Issues discussed were that Tampa Bay requires a strategic resiliency master plan, which improves the prevention of crises and catastrophes. Furthermore plans to better deal with catastrophes (e.g. improved evacuation and shelter concept) are required. The ongoing redevelopment of infrastructure systems and buildings has to be used to improve the resiliency of single facilities. Preliminary adaptation measures should be implemented to buy time for long-term adaptation measures like the incremental relocation of buildings from the coast. Integrated solutions to improve resiliency are required. Strategies like the combination of attractive urban development with improving flood protection are considered. The improvement of resiliency should be combined with other objectives like community design, sustainable mobility, prevention of urban sprawl etc. Furthermore the lack of economic diversity and the dependence of major business from climate should be reduced. Natural systems besides hard engineering measures are a key component to improving resiliency in Tampa Bay. Concepts like more space for natural development, regional landscape scale wildlife corridors, the protection of mangroves, LID for storm water management, green roofs should be put into consideration. A strong partnership of stakeholders supporting resiliency and response to crisis is required. The needs of the most vulnerable communities like elderly people, disabled people, people with language difficulties or low-income communities have to be considered. 3

4 In the workshop two examples were presented, which can serve as a model for developing a resilient Tampa Bay. The resiliency planning process in Punta Gorda (Florida) was presented. Based on a broad stakeholder engagement, the vulnerability was analyzed and an adaptation plan was developed. Due to the various geographical and institutional similarities between the two areas, the process in Punta Gorda can serve as a kind of blueprint for resiliency planning in Tampa Bay. The solutions presented by the Dutch experts were discussed. A quote about the Dutch expertise is, that it is useful to understand what the Dutch have done, but it is necessary to choose what is most suitable for the local conditions here in Tampa Bay. 5.0 WAY FORWARD Strategies for the improvement of resiliency in Tampa Bay by the different geofocal groups were identified and presented. These were subdivided into three categories discussed below: Leaders and stakeholders to improve resiliency The key question is, who will take the responsibility and leadership to continue the process of improving the resiliency in Tampa Bay. As a focal point existing highly representative organizations like TBEP or TBRPC were proposed. Additional important organizations identified are MPO, Tampa Port Authority, IFAS, NEP etc. The Patel Center for Global Solutions and the USF are considered as providers of information and knowledge as well as discussion platform for a resilient Tampa Bay. The process of improving resiliency should be supported by a broad and inclusive stakeholder engagement. There is a need to build partnerships between stakeholders now, given that it is often too late in the event of a crisis. Most participants of the geofocal teams are willing to support the future process. Furthermore additional potential partners in the different geofocal areas were identified. Strategies to improve resiliency A master plan for resiliency in Tampa Bay should be developed. The master plan should include a vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. There is a need for detailed assessment of vulnerability and tailored adaptation strategies in the different geofocal areas. Urban planning guidelines and building codes were identified as important tools for improving resiliency. There is a need to consider a bigger picture, when single development sites and buildings are constructed. New building codes should guarantee that buildings are constructed to higher standards. Pilot projects are of high importance. The starting point for pilot projects could be consideration of site-specific vulnerabilities (hospitals, critical infrastructure etc.) as well as hot spots for urban flooding, storm surges and sea level rise. 4

5 Information and Capacity Building More data and information about the vulnerability of Tampa Bay is required and therefore data sharing between different organizations is recommended. The Patel Center for Global Solutions at USF can play a critical role in the provision of data and information about vulnerability in Tampa Bay. Because of regional and global change pressures, present and future development of vulnerabilities in Tampa Bay will be characterized by a lack of reliable and precise forecasts. In particular it is expected that climate variabilities will increase in future necessitating us to develop adaptation strategies, which can deal with these uncertainties und instabilities. There is a need for capacity building, in particularly the need to educate decision makers about the vulnerability of Tampa Bay. The Patel Center for Global Solutions is a central actor for providing capacity building. It is necessary to raise the awareness about the vulnerability of Tampa Bay. New communication strategies are required to reach people, which normally do not take part in such discussions (e.g. community ambassadors). New visualization strategies are required to improve the communication of complex information and to educate the inhabitants about their exposure against floods and hurricanes. Tailored messages for different target groups should be developed. The final message of the workshop was: This workshop is a first step in a long process to the improvement of resiliency in Tampa Bay. 5