The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.

In a piece for Smart Cities Dive, Ysabelle Kempe describes one Hawai’i county’s efforts to build resilience in the face of climate impacts.
Last year, Kaua’i County “made a paradigm shift in how it protects private property from rising seas driven by climate change” by requiring new and ‘substantially renovated’ buildings to withstand levels of flooding predicted for the year 2100. “The rules made the county one of the first in the nation to ‘commit to using scientific model projections as the basis for construction and planning regulations,’ according to the [University of Hawai’i].”
Based on the new rules, “Residential buildings are required to be elevated 2 feet above the highest sea-level rise flood elevation, while nonresidential structures are required to be elevated 1 foot above that level.” According to Kempe, “the rules also aim to save taxpayer dollars on costly flood-control projects and ensure that those who live in risky areas take responsibility for their actions.”
The county created a “Sea Level Rise Constraint District Viewer” tool that maps predicted sea level rise. “The county also developed an app that allows people to generate a PDF report showing whether a proposed structure is subject to the rules and the maximum flood depth it is exposed to.”
Alan Clinton, administrative planning officer at Kaua’i County, says the ordinance is a “workable” middle-ground solution, but doesn’t address other concerns from local residents.
FULL STORY: Bracing for rising seas, a Hawai’i county makes builders prep for year 2100

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions