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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Identified Smart Growth Strategies for More Resilient Communities

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Identified Smart Growth Strategies for More Resilient Communities

Equity & Justice

Low-income, minority, and tribal communities across the country face an array of environmental challenges, including proximity to polluting facilities, disproportionate levels of chronic disease, urban heat islands, neighborhood disinvestment, and little access to resources and services. Many of these challenges result from how communities are planned and built. For instance, many communities of color remain segregated today due to historical redlining practices, and are often the hottest districts in a community, with fewer trees and abundant heat-trapping pavement.

The smart growth approach to community development is at the core of equitable adaptation and resilience in the built environment, and can help address long-standing environmental, health, and economic disparities among vulnerable demographics. These strategies range from offering affordable and sustainable transportation options, to planning and land use policies that support walkable, healthy neighborhoods.

Project Summary

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through a technical assistance project to help develop climate adaptation policy options for the consideration of its local jurisdictions. The project sought to help local communities prepare for climate change impacts while bringing other environmental, economic and social benefits. To determine regional vulnerabilities, the Council of Governments used regional climate change projections from the 2009 National Climate Assessment combined with findings from the Maryland and Virginia state climate commissions, university studies, regional planning group assessments and input from local government staff. The Council of Governments relied on its standing committees made up of representatives from its member jurisdictions for input on the project and to keep its members engaged throughout the process.. The committees were related to buildings, land use, transportation and water sectors. This regional effort provided localities with information that would have been difficult to develop and duplicative if conducted separately. An example is an analysis of projected climate impacts and how they would affect different sectors. The effort also raised awareness of climate adaptation in the region and encouraged local governments to explore multi-benefit strategies while anticipating, planning and preparing for climate change. This effort also resulted in EPA developing the report: Using Smart Growth Strategies to Create More Resilient Communities in the Washington, D.C., Region (2013).

How did they do it?
Action	Applicable Resources
MWCOG reviewed climate vulnerabilities and identified potential adaptation strategies Analyzed regional climate change projections from the 2009 National Climate Assessment to assess projected climate impacts to the region Supplemented projected climate risks with findings from the Maryland and Virginia state climate commissions, universities, as well as local staff and regional planning groups Hosted adaptation trainings and educational events that shared lessons learned from previous hazards to help develop local jurisdiction staff capacity on adaptation	The EPA developed a 30 minute Climate Adaptation Training for local governments.
EPA developed a report Under the technical assistance program, and with input from MWCOG's stakeholders, EPA developed Using Smart Growth Strategies to Create More Resilient Communities in the Washington, D.C., Region, to give local governments policy options to consider when preparing for future climate risks.	Using Smart Growth Strategies to Create More Resilient Communities in the Washington, D.C. Region examines climate resiliency planning and policy options for local governments.
MWCOG engaged member jurisdictions to spread awareness of potential adaptation strategies Engaged representatives from MWCOG member jurisdictions in discussions about their priorities, needs, and concerns related to climate change adaptation Held a day-long symposium to go into more depth on climate impacts and their implications for the region and local decision-makers	US Climate Resilience Toolkit can help you document climate hazards, assess vulnerabilities and quantify risks and develop solutions to reduce your climate-related risks.

Project Resources

Smart Growth Strategies for More Resilient Communities

Similar Case Studies

To find out more about the region’s activities on climate adaptation, visit the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation web page. Many other communities have collaborated with neighboring municipalities, regional entities or with non-profits to support adaptation planning efforts.

To view another case where multiple government jurisdictions collaborated to perform a regional projection for sea level rise and identify adaptation options, view the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact.
Finally, view the Anacortes Water Utility case study to see how another community used a regional climate assessment, conducted by a neighboring municipality, to rebuild their water treatment plant and account for future climate risk.

Environmental Resilience Institute

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Identified Smart Growth Strategies for More Resilient Communities