Finding value in climate change

Due to the arguable certainty of climate change and sea level rise as a result, cities and municipalities need to start thinking about their response to this threat. This study will argue strategy of absorbing the impacts and responding through cultural change and new design strategies. Biscayne North, a suburb of Miami is used as a case study due to its likelihood of water inundation over the next century, its relative size and composition, and the availability of financial assistance due to its impoverished and deteriorating community. In the study, aspects of Biscayne North are analyzed and redesigned in response to the imminent impact of rising sea levels on the area. Cultural changes will be considered, as well as the design of the urban layout and individual units to optimize their efficiencies and create a situation where they can absorb drastic change. Through investment in these actions early, value will be created in this community that can sustain itself through the impacts of sea level rise. This study is meant to reveal a condition that will affect nearly every coastline in the United States and possibly the world. It looks at cultural change and new design strategies born out of necessity that people will need to adapt to and accept if coastal cities have any chance of sustaining. The idea is that this report will be applicable to many other communities and can show them that, without necessarily duplicating the cultural changes and design modifications, they have the ability and the responsibility to look ahead and plan for drastic changes that will forced upon them.Thesis (B.?)Honors Colleg