AN ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO  FLOOD/HURRICANE HAZARDS IN CHARLESTON, SC

Agudelo, Luz E.

AN ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO FLOOD/HURRICANE HAZARDS IN CHARLESTON, SC

Authors

Agudelo, Luz E.

Abstract

Community resilience requires integration of people’s knowledge into adaptive co-management of the coupled social ecological systems. This study highlights the window of opportunity that represents human socio-economic vulnerabilities to environmental changes due to sea level rise such as flood and hurricane hazards. Findings point to the window of opportunity for integration of the local social fabric through Adaptive Governance systems that will increase prospects of community resilience. I conducted a study that included secondary and primary sources of data to compare a constellation of vulnerability of Hispanics and Non-Hispanics. Through which my data suggests that Hispanics are more vulnerable and would require networks of resilient support to increase the overall resilience of the Charleston community. Heightened socio-economic vulnerabilities in marginalized peoples reduce local community resilience. Developing alliance and partnerships that allow for diverse knowledge, voices, and preparedness of local stakeholders would strengthen the resilience of the entire Charleston County community.