Developing Governance & Collaborative Capacity

This study investigates how the distribution of fiscal responsibilities between federal, state, and local governments affects the City of Shreveport, Louisiana’s capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to disaster risks. We will analyze nine key documents (including the master plan, City’s consolidated plans, emergency operations plan, capital improvement plans, Caddo Parish HMP, climate resilience and adaptation strategies, CAPER report, and flood hazard awareness brochures), seven key informant interviews, and budgetary data to examine the implications of fiscal decentralization on local disaster risk reduction (DRR) outcomes.

The research question for this project is: How Can Community Discourse Inform Natural Disaster Mitigation Activities?

We find that a wide range of stakeholders (representing the community, governments, organizations, individuals, and even wildlife) are identified in public discourse related to flooding. Different factors, such as a direct or negative impact, a desire to help those at risk or in need, or a role-based obligation to “do something,” motivate stakeholder engagement. Many stakeholders have subject matter expertise or a desire to improve the community’s resilience. Some stakeholders may need assistance or resources to develop participation efficacy and may provide non-financial, yet tangible, resources to co-produce disaster mitigation.

A final report has been published for this project and is available here.

The research question for this project is: Where do opportunities exist for stakeholder collaboration to address interconnected natural, physical, fiscal, and social vulnerabilities with strategies grounded in fiscal realities?

The reserach question for this project is: How can existing legal/regulatory, political/policy, administrative, and social structures in the South Central region encourage innovative climate adaptation strategies?