Building Equity through Managed Retreat: A Case Study on Edgemere, Queens

Erica Asinas, MS City and Regional Planning ’20

Ron Shiffman and Ayse Yonder, Advisors

School of Architecture, Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment (GCPE)

At present, sea-level rise alone threatens to displace 4.2 to 13.1 million Americans by 2100. As an adaptation response, managed retreat strategically relocates at-risk populations from vulnerable coastal areas. However, managed retreat in the US presents an issue of equity; its current practice perpetuates the existing racial wealth gap and cycles of displacement. Through an existing conditions analysis, participatory research, and local stakeholder engagement of the community, Building Equity through Managed Retreat: A Case Study on Edgemere, Queens, explores solutions for frontline communities by integrating community-driven healing, an economically just transition and reparations in adaptation policy and practice.