AUDIBLE LANDSCAPES: Rebuild or retreat? Designing for climate migration
by Alex Mok, Dean Anesi & Laura Liu
The 2021 Lytton Wildfire that completely tore down the neighborhood of 250 residents still stands as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate-induced migration here in B.C. today. No concrete plans have been made to rebuild the site for the displaced residents, as they worry another tragedy will recur. As landscape architects, how should we approach these vulnerable landscapes?
Discussions revolve around the crucial distinction between the socioeconomic perception of climate migration and its actual ecological implications. On top of all, the debate of whether designers should rebuild or retreat a land is case-specific and highly rely on their own understanding of the human-wildlife interconnectedness of the site. To address the issue, a toolkit is developed for at-risk communities to make informed decisions that prioritize the safety, well-being and sustainability of their place in light of exacerbated climate threats.
Audio PlayerABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKERS
Sheri Andrews-Key, Micro-Certificate Director & Lecturer in the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on climate vulnerability assessments of wildfires and insect outbreaks, together with building adaptive business models for the forest sector in Canada.
Rosetta S. Elkin, Landscape Architect, Academic Director & Associate Professor of the Landscape Architecture Program at Pratt Institute. Her award-winning academia work reflects on numerous land based practices, including scale of individual plants, gardens and horticultural design. Particularly, her recent book, Landscapes of Retreat, inspires new design approaches of climate migration through multiple case studies worldwide.
Sara Jacobs, Landscape Architect, Assistant Professor at School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia. She is an environmental historian whose research highlights the reinterpretation of landscape through environmental history and care. Her previous experience at SCAPE involves climate-adaptive designs that combine land, water and collective elements.
Maren Mcbride, Landscape Architect, Adjunct Professor at School of Community & Regional Planning, University of British Columbia. Her wealth of experience in landscape projects across Canada and the U.S. contributed to sustainable development and community resilience in the North American context.
DESIGN TOOLKIT FOR CLIMATE MIGRATION
- Assessment of vulnerability: Conduct a thorough assessment of the communities vulnerability to climate change conditions, considering factors such as geographical location, climate conditions, land use patterns, infrastructure, and community demographics. Identify the specific areas and populations most at risk.
- Analysis of disaster risk: Analyze the potential impacts and likelihood of climate change disasters occurring in the area, taking into account climate projections, historical data on wildfires,flooding, drought and other relevant factors. This analysis should inform the development of risk management strategies.
- Evaluation of rebuilding options: Assess the feasibility and effectiveness of various rebuilding options for the high risk community, considering factors such as building codes, land use planning, infrastructure upgrades, and community needs. Explore ways to incorporate materials resilient to the climate change scenario and incorporate them into design reconstruction efforts.
- Exploration of retreat alternatives: Explore alternative land use options for areas of high risk that are particularly vulnerable to climate change disaster scenarios, such as relocating structures away from high-risk zones or converting them into green spaces. Consider the social, economic, and environmental implications of retreat options.
- Community engagement and decision-making: Engage residents, local authorities, businesses, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding climate change risk management. Foster open dialogue, share information about risks and options, and involve community members in developing solutions that prioritize safety and resilience.
- Integration of climate resilience: Integrate climate resilience principles into all aspects of planning, decision-making, and action regarding high risk communities. This includes measures such as ecosystem restoration, land use planning that considers future climate scenarios, and investments in community resilience infrastructure.
RESOURCE
Academic Research
ClimateBC Data Model – Wang et. al. (2016)
Landscapes of Retreat – Elkin (2022)
Landscapes of Care: Politics, Practices and Possibilities – Jacobs (2023)
News Articles
The Climate Crisis, Migration, and Refugees – Podesta (2019, Jul 25)
Relevant Design Projects
Managed Retreat – Mithun (2020)