Geospatial Forum: Dr. Andrew Fox

Speaker: Dr. Andrew Fox | Professor, University Faculty Scholar and Community Engaged Faculty Fellow | Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning | North Carolina State University

Presentation Title: Visualizing Community Assets and Threats to Inform Post-Disaster Recovery

Abstract: Water is the lifeblood of communities across Eastern North Carolina, many owing their locations and existence to the abundant natural resources provided by rivers, tributaries, floodplains and coastlines. These natural features, including their propensity to flood, have made lasting physical and cultural impressions that continue to shape and influence both town and region. Recent catastrophic floods and sea-level rise predictions highlight the need to develop and deploy more holistic methods of analyzing, communicating and planning for flood risks. An issue limiting both the short-term recovery and long-term resilience of coastal and riverine communities stems, in part, from the inability of technical experts to translate and communicate highly specialized data into understandable and implementable information capable of influencing decision makers. Traditional processes of data representation and recommendations limit both understanding and action because stakeholders, specifically the lay public, may not be able to interpret the information or visualize the potential implications of various decisions related to recovery.