High Water: The Reality of Planning in the Face of Climate Challenges

October 30, 2018

APA, the Northern Virginia section of APA Virginia, and Rhodeside and Harwell presented a special Tuesdays at APA event featuring Tidewater, a documentary by the American Resilience Project, that tells the story of the resiliency battle in the Hampton Roads region. The winner of multiple awards, the film portrays the planning process that has been developed to date and continuing challenges for the future. It presents a critical planning lesson and serves as an inspiration for other communities.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion with planners from Alexandria and the Hampton Roads area for a conversation about what more can be done to address climate challenges.

Many Virginia communities have been facing increasing flood events over the past decade, impacting quality of life, economic vitality, health, and safety. Flooding within the Tidewater region in southeast Virginia, however, has critical implications for our nation’s security. As an area comprising 14 military installations within 17 jurisdictions, Tidewater has the highest concentration of military assets in the United States — with 1 in 6 residents associated with this military-industrial complex. As sea level rise increases flood events throughout this critical region, the military and the area’s jurisdictions are collaborating on solutions that will strengthen both the security of the nation and the economic vitality of the region.

CM | 1.5

Speaker

George Homewood, FAICP, CFM

George Homewood is interim director of development for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was director of city planning for five years. Homewood is chair of the APA Legislative Policy Committee and a past-president of APA's Virginia Chapter.

Speaker

Anthony Gammon, PE

Tony Gammon is the deputy director of the City of Alexandria's Department of Project Implementation. He has over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, designing and managing infrastructure, development, and capital improvements projects around the country. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University.

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Speaker

Ann C. Phillips

Ann Phillips is the special assistant to the governor for coastal adaptation and protection for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Previously she worked to address sea level rise and climate change impact on national security at the regional, national, and international level. Phillips served nearly 31 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Rear Admiral. She holds an MBA from the College of William and Mary and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.