Abstract

The purpose of “Adaptation to Natural Hazards and Climate Change in North Kingstown, Rhode Island” is to demonstrate the process and techniques for how to utilize spatial information and relevant exposure and vulnerability data addressing natural hazards, including coastal hazards such as flooding from projected sea level rise and storm surge events, in local planning to prepare implementable adaptation strategies. These strategies can then be used as a foundation for addressing adaptation in North Kingstown’s comprehensive community plan, and to prioritize projects for inclusion in the municipal Capital Improvement Program (CIP), state Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This pilot project in North Kingstown is intended to serve as a model for other municipalities in Rhode Island to address resilience to natural hazards in their local planning efforts.