Retreating from Risk (RFR): Decision-Supports for the Equitable Implementation of Retreat to Build Climate Resilience aims to explore how managed retreat–the strategic relocation of housing and infrastructure from high-risk areas–can be used as a proactive strategy to reduce flood risks while enhancing community well-being. The research will focus on improving community resilience, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and advancing climate justice.
RFR is a four-year project valued at $2.45 million CAD. It is jointly funded by the Government of Canada's New Frontiers Research Fund–International and the U.S. National Science Foundation. The collaborative research initiative is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Brent Doberstein, a Professor in the Faculty of Environment and a member of the Waterloo Climate Institute and the Water Institute. The project aims to develop a decision-making framework and decision-support tools for community-led managed retreat planning. The project will also provide capacity-building resources to support local managed retreat decision-making in Canada, the United States, and Indonesia.
The multi-disciplinary, international research partnership involves universities, non-profit organizations, and community collaborators from across the three countries. Project partners include: the Emergency Planning Secretariat, Stony Brook University, Swasaba Research Initiative, Texas Tech University, Thompson Rivers University, Universitas Gadjah Mada, the University of British Columbia, the University of Delaware, the University of Guelph, the University of Kansas, and the University of Waterloo.
Partnership development and field research is currently underway. Communities and organizations interested in learning more about the project are encouraged to email Elena Christy (Project Manager) at echristy@uwaterloo.ca
Managed retreat is an essential yet highly complex strategy for building climate change resilience. By providing decision-supports for municipalities and communities in Canada, the USA, and Indonesia, RFR will help shape policies and actions that will safeguard lives, enhance climate resilience, and provide equitable outcomes for vulnerable members of communities exposed to flood hazards
WHERE WE WORK
KEY ISSUES
1) The need for decision-support tools
Many communities do not have the capacity or expertise to effectively understand climate risks and frame, choose from, and implement the numerous adaptation options available.
2) The need for a paradigm shift
Flood adaptation must move beyond the status quo to address underlying vulnerabilities in holistic, participatory, and equity-informed ways.
3) The need for proactive adaptation
Managed retreat presents legal, ethical, social, cultural, financial, political, and logistical challenges–yet reactive disaster displacement is already a reality. Strategic relocation will be inevitable for some communities; however, it must be done in a way that is inclusive, equitable, and just for all.
CROSS-CUTTING RESEARCH THEMES
Sociocultural context
We are exploring the many social and cultural considerations and place-based dynamics that factor into local managed retreat decision-making processes and impact community resiliency.
Institutional environment
We are examining the institutional environment and governance arrangements that managed retreat decision-making processes are embedded within.
Community engagement
We are assessing the manner and extent to which decision-makers engage communities (and who is included in the “community”) in managed retreat planning processes.
Planning processes
We are investigating community resiliency and climate adaptation planning processes, situating managed retreat as one tool among a broader suite of options within the policy and planning toolkit.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Contact Us
Elena Christy
echristy@uwaterloo.ca
Office: EV1 302
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1