Redevelopment and Reuse Strategies
Step 1: Discuss potential redevelopment priorities with community and economic development stakeholders prior to a disaster
This allows the community to devote time and resources to gathering input around sensitive topics such as land use and property redevelopment.
Step 1a: Hold discussions about land use and rebuilding in environmentally sensitive areas
Polk County, Fla., participated in a pilot project to develop a post-disaster redevelopment plan before a disaster impacted the community. The goal was to make smarter decisions to protect and improve the community’s economic base while increasing disaster resiliency.
The plan was divided into multiple topics (land use, economic development, housing, etc.) and recommended policies, operational strategies and roles and responsibilities for stakeholders to guide decisions for long-term recovery. Different redevelopment scenarios were discussed among stakeholders to work through plausible futures and to foster awareness in the community. More guidance is available for engaging in pre-disaster planning efforts.
Step 1b: Identify sources of capital for redevelopment
Sources of capital for redevelopment projects should be identified well before a disaster occurs. Federal and state funding can take time to administer, which is why private and nonprofit dollars should be leveraged when possible.
Step 2: The community should hold discussions around improving building codes and using improved building materials to build more resilient communities
Community and business leaders should consider both disaster resiliency as well as energy efficiency in these conversations. Improved building codes are likely to increase the cost of construction, which can meet with some resistance from the business community. Still, the community should work through the costs and benefits of building more resiliently so that informed decisions can be made on tough issues.
RESOURCES
- The Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning (PDRP) in Florida identifies policies, operational strategies, and roles and responsibilities for implementation that will guide decisions that affect long-term recovery and redevelopment of the community after a disaster. Issues include housing recovery, financial administration, environmental restoration, health and social services, and economic redevelopment. Pilot communities that have developed the plan include: Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Nassau County, Panama City, Polk County, and Sarasota County
- Other PDRP plans: Alachua County, Palm Beach County, Pinellas County
- Enterprise Green Communities provides funds and expertise to enable developers to build and rehabilitate homes that are healthier, more energy efficient and better for the environment.
- Disaster Contractors Network provides resources for post-disaster rebuilding and recovery that include: hurricane season reports, analysis of recovery topics, bulletin board for posting critical needs, construction guidelines to prevent damage or destruction of homes, and more.
- The Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) provides information on building deconstruction and the reuse or recycling of recovered building materials.
