Adaptation Strategies
There are generally four high-level categories that adaptation strategies fall into: Protect, Adapt, Retreat, and Avoid. ​​​​​
Adapt/Accommodate: Instead of preventing inundation, erosion, or flooding, coping strategies are developed that enable continued human habitation with periodic flooding.
Protect: Protect land and buildings from erosion and flooding with new infrastructure. This approach generally prevents inundation of the asset.
Avoid: Prevent new development in areas most vulnerable to flooding. This is primarily a proactive and policy-driven approach.
Retreat: Move people and structures in areas most vulnerable to flooding out of harm’s way. This will allow coastal habitats to migrate naturally as the sea encroaches inland.
Within each of these four categories, specific solutions can be implemented based on a range of criteria including geography, scale, cost, and future maintenance. They can also vary based on their approach:​
​Nature-Based – uses green or natural infrastructure to protect against climate hazards.​
Hardscape – uses materials such as stone, concrete, or asphalt to create structures or barriers to protect against climate hazards​
Policy/Program – sets standards for adaptation measures.