A new University of Miami study has developed a method to assess how multiple climate resilience plans interact—or clash—in addressing growing climate risks in Miami-Dade County. Researchers evaluated 37 plans across regional, county, municipal, and neighborhood levels.
The plans outline actions and investments targeting flooding, sea level change, hurricanes, extreme heat, infrastructure, transportation, and land-use issues. The study represents the first systematic effort to examine how these various frameworks function collectively.
Key findings suggest that individual plans often lack coordination, potentially undermining overall resilience. The research highlights gaps where overlapping jurisdictions or conflicting priorities may leave communities exposed to compounding hazards.
For policymakers, the study underscores the need for integrated planning that bridges local and regional efforts. Without better alignment, investments could be duplicated or misdirected, reducing the effectiveness of resilience spending.
Experts caution that the study's scope is limited to plan analysis, not real-world implementation. Actual outcomes may differ from documented intentions.