This work will be presented at the Florida State University Undergraduate Research Symposium in March 2017. For a higher-quality image of this work or more information about findings, feel free to email me at tntravis@mac.com.

1. Although our research has not been completed, we predict that regional governance can effectively
build a strong information base and reduce resource constraints by providing technical support and
building local capacity. In our regions, different approaches to leadership and coordination relying
on reactive or proactive approaches led to varied uptake of local sea level rise adaptation planning.
Dealing with uncertainty through experimentation and knowledge creation seems to generate more
innovative solutions than a conventional knowledge delivery system. Thus, regional collaboration
may be an effective method to eliminate problems resulting from a of lack resources, information,
and leadership and to facilitate cross-jurisdictional coordination. Our work will continue to sort which
regional models influence local governments in overcoming barriers so we can interpret 1) how and
the extent to which regional efforts can overcome local barriers and 2) how local and regional
entities should consider organizing to overcome barriers depending on their specific barriers.
Predicted Results
To what extent and how can
regional approaches to address
sea level rise overcome barriers
to climate change adaptation?
In the absence of state leadership on climate change,
local governments and regional agencies have begun
taking responsibility for adaptation to climate change
impacts in Florida. While sea level rise impacts are
generally regional, local governments have the authority
and responsibility to plan and regulate land uses.
However, there are numerous barriers to local adaptation
action identified in the literature including a lack of
information, resources, leadership, and political will as
well as high levels of uncertainty, values and beliefs that
limit action, and jurisdictional boundaries. In some areas,
regional planning agencies and collaborative groups are
filling this gap. We seek to determine how working at a
regional level may facilitate sea level rise planning at the
local level. This study compares the efforts of regional
entities in the Southeast Florida, Tampa Bay and
Charlotte Harbor areas to compare how regional models
facilitate local government uptake of sea level rise
planning action. We aim to show whether and how
regional collaboration can overcome barriers in adaptation
planning at the local level.
By: Travis Burhart, Allison Stocker
Faculty: Dr. William Butler, Dr. Tisha Holmes
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Collaborating for Climate Change Adaptation and Sea Level Rise in Florida
Introduction
Research Question
Methodology
Butler, W., R. Deyle, & C. Mutnansky. (2016). Low-Regrets Incrementalism: Land Use Planning Adaptation to Accelerating Sea Level Rise in Florida's Coastal Communities. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 36(3), 319-332.
Donoghue, J. F. (2011). Sea level history of northern Gulf of Mexico coast and sea level rise scenarios for the near future. Climatic Change 107: 17-33.
Hamin, E., N. Gurran, & A. Mesquita Emlinger. (2014). Barriers to Municipal Climate Adaptation: Examples from Coastal Massachusetts Smaller Cities and Towns. Journal of the American Planning Association 80 (2): 110–22.
Shi, L., E. Chu, & J. Debats. (2015). Explaining Progress in Climate Adaptation Planning across 156 U.S. Municipalities. Journal of the American Planning Association 81 (3): 191–202.
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact. (2015). A Unified Sea Level Rise Projection for Southeast Florida.
Vella, K., W. Butler, N. Sipe, T. Chapin, & J. Murley. (2016). Voluntary Collaboration for Adaptive Governance: The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 36(3), 363-376.
Yin, R. K. (2008). Applications of case study research. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.
• Qualitative research using a comparative case
study methodology
• For each local area we assessed comprehensive
plans, plan amendments, and state and regional
guidance
• For regional organizations we reviewed vulnerability
assessments and sea level rise projections, climate
action plans, workshop and meeting agendas
• All cases include interviews with local, state and
regional officials, and interview questions were
specific to the circumstances of the entity
• Information gathered was used to describe how
regional activities connect to or influence local level
decisions, plans, and actionsSelected References
Abstract
Coastal communities in Florida are on the frontlines of sea level rise impacts. While sea level rise is a regional phenomenon, local governments have authority over
land use planning for adaptation. Barriers inhibit municipalities including a lack of information, resources, and leadership as well as issues like uncertainty,
jurisdictional boundaries, and citizens’ beliefs. Some scholars suggest local governments can overcome barriers by collaborating at a regional scale. However, few
studies have identified how. We respond with a cross-case comparison of Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Southeast Florida. They have different approaches to
address sea level rise issues at a regional scale. Early results of our work suggests that regional efforts can resolve information and resource gaps. They can address
leadership and jurisdictional boundaries by coordinated planning and shared accountability and responsibility. Uncertainty is addressed with knowledge generation
and transmission systems. Future research can test our propositions and refine how regional governance can overcome barriers to local climate change adaptation.
1 meter of sea level rise and its impacts in Florida
(Donoghue, 2011)
Projected rates of sea level rise through the year 2100 in SE FL.
Unified SLR Projection Curves, Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, 2015.
Table 1: Initial interpretation of regional approaches to overcome barriers to local climate change adaptation.