Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of attending two fantastic events hosted by the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange and Urban Land Institute focused on resiliency and infrastructure planning. These events were particularly meaningful because both were held in the two places I have been lucky enough to call home outside of Wilmington: St. Augustine and Raleigh.
Two weeks ago in Raleigh, I joined municipal leaders, planners, and engineers from across the US at the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange Annual Meeting to discuss the challenges and successes communities face in integrating green stormwater infrastructure into their resiliency and planning efforts. I particularly enjoyed our City of Raleigh-led tour to the flagship Gipson Play Plaza, a part of the larger Dix Park redevelopment. Geosyntec Consultants is now supporting the next phase of work for Dix Park which is centered on restoring Rocky Branch that runs alongside the park. I look forward to many future visits!
Last week, at the Urban Land Institute Coastal Development Forum in my beloved hometown of St. Augustine, I took part in a downtown walking tour highlighting the incredible work the City of St. Augustine has undertaken to make the historic center and low-lying Davis Shores community more resilient to sunny day flooding, rainfall-induced flooding, and storm surge. We discussed the delicate balance required to integrate resiliency into aging infrastructure (including sea walls built in the 1800s!) while also supporting tourism, economic vitality, and the protection of ecological, natural, and cultural resources. Bonus fun-fact: my Florida-based Geosyntec Consultants colleagues designed a tide gate that now helps mitigate flooding in my childhood neighborhood, and a shoreline stabilization project along Inlet Drive in Davis Shores that is currently under construction. These projects are pieces of the larger, multi-faceted puzzle the City is advancing through coordinated resilience and infrastructure initiatives.
As someone who lives, works, and plays in a coastal community, I understand the uphill battle we face as climate pressures intensify and infrastructure demands grow. The conversations I had over the past few weeks are a reminder of how essential collaboration, innovation, and long-term planning are to building communities that can thrive despite the challenges ahead. Definitely feeling inspired and energized after a busy but fulfilling couple of weeks!
