Coastal flooding has been increasing in frequency and severity across the US East Coast, adversely impacting the human population. Preferred adaptation strategies, such as protection and accommodation, may prove insufficient under current climate change scenarios and projected future sea level rise, prompting the coastal population to consider relocation as a more efficient disaster risk reduction strategy. This study focuses on the flood-prone urban areas along the US East Coast where residents are more willing to relocate due to coastal flooding. Using the survey data, it evaluates the flood experiences, considerations toward relocation, and preferences for relocation destinations. The extent of top concerns influencing respondents' willingness to relocate, such as crime rate, buyout programs, access to critical services and amenities, and availability of comparable housing, were further explored as indirect relocation drivers. Four study locations with heightened relocation potential were identified across urban areas on the US East Coast. Relocation drivers such as crime and limited access to services and amenities are not significantly present in these study locations. However, the absence of buyout programs and affordable housing options in similar communities leaves low-income households trapped in high-risk zones, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities, and increasing the disproportionate risk faced by marginalized populations. The findings have important implications for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders involved in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts. They highlight the need for targeted interventions to address socioeconomic vulnerabilities, promote equitable access to housing, and enhance the resilience of communities facing coastal hazards. / Master of Science / Coastal flooding is increasing in both frequency and severity along the US East Coast, significantly impacting local populations. Traditional adaptation strategies, such as building protective structures and making accommodations, may not be sufficient under current climate change scenarios and projected sea level rise. Consequently, some coastal residents are considering relocation as a more effective strategy for reducing disaster risk. This study focuses on flood-prone urban areas along the US East Coast, where residents are more inclined to relocate due to coastal flooding. Using survey data, it assesses their flood experiences, considerations towards relocation, and preferred relocation destinations. The study also examines indirect factors influencing the willingness to relocate, such as concerns about crime rates, buyout programs, access to essential services and amenities, and the availability of comparable housing. The research identifies four study locations of urban areas with a high potential for relocation. In these study locations, issues such as crime and limited access to services and amenities are less significant. However, the absence of buyout programs and affordable housing options in similar communities traps low-income households in high-risk zones, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities and increasing the disproportionate risk faced by marginalized populations. These findings have significant implications for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders involved in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. They highlight the need for targeted interventions to address socioeconomic vulnerabilities, promote equitable access to housing, and enhance the resilience of communities facing coastal hazards.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/120680 |
| Date | 18 July 2024 |
| Creators | Gyanwali, Sophiya |
| Contributors | Geography, Bukvic, Anamaria, Kim, Junghwan, Crawford, Thomas Wall |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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