Miami Lets Developers Buy Double Density with Climate Fund Contributions

City officials are close to passing a law that would give major density bonuses to developers in exchange for funding for seawalls, pump stations, and other climate resilience projects.

1 minute read

December 7, 2025, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Looking up at modern high-rise buildings with palm trees in foreground against bright blue sky in Miami, Florida.

Anthony Giarrusso / Shutterstock

A new Miami law would allow developers to build up to double the allowable density in certain neighborhoods if they agree to pay into the city’s Resilience Trust Fund, according to an article in The Real Deal.

The trust fund is designed to pay for flood control and climate resilience projects including raising streets, replacing seawalls, and pump stations. Critics of the policy say it would give developers an open door to building oversized projects in flood zones rather than planning for more sustainable development. 

The city commission approved the proposal, but it requires a second vote to go into effect. “Aaron DeMayo, who chairs the city’s Climate Resilience Committee, supports the proposal, but said he found it ‘somewhat ironic that we’re incentivizing additional development capacity in an area that obviously is already flooding significantly.’”

Monday, December 1, 2025 in Political Cortadito

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360