CSA Planning is excited to have begun offering post-disaster recovery and redevelopment planning as one of our services. An often forgotten component of the mitigation cycle, planning for post-disaster recovery is essential for furthering the sustainability of a community. As the Gulf Coast now realizes, making decisions for redevelopment after a catastrophe without any preconceived strategies for rebuilding a resilient and successful community is a difficult process. The aftermath of a disaster is always challenging, even if a community has planned for the worst-case scenario; however, by proactively creating a process for making post-disaster decisions and preparing for recovery needs as much as possible, the community can do more than simply react. A disaster, while tragic, can also create opportunity. With a post-disaster redevelopment plan (PDRP), a local government has a better chance of using the window of opportunity to move the community farther down the road to resiliency.

Planning for the Post-Disaster Period
Many communities have already begun planning for pre-disaster mitigation and the immediate response in the post-disaster period. The next step is to plan for what to do after rescue and response operations have been completed and how to prepare for a rapid recovery from the impacts of an emergency situation. CSA Planning has just completed a an innovative countywide PDRP that examines anticipated recovery and redevelopment issues with actions for implementation in both the pre-disaster period to prepare for such an event and also in the post-disaster period. The PDRP offers an implementation process that draws from the expertise of many officials throughout the county and is inclusive of all jurisdictions. This is a standalone plan that specifically addresses long-term recovery and redevelopment for minor, major, and catastrophic disasters. Other options for post-disaster planning could involve incorporating redevelopment strategies into the comprehensive plan, creating a post-disaster redevelopment ordinance, adding a section on long-term recovery to an emergency management plan, or even including specific mitigation policies for post-disaster redevelopment into the local mitigation plan (see the All-Hazards Planning & Emergency Management page). If creating a standalone plan, it is highly advised that local governments also incorporate the PDRP by reference or specific policies into other planning mechanisms as well (see the Integrating Hazard Mitigation into Local Plans page).

Requirements for Post-Disaster Planning
Currently, post-disaster recovery and redevelopment planning is voluntary in all states except Florida, where it is a requirement for coastal jurisdictions. Post-disaster planning is highly encouraged and is gaining popularity as the world watches the slow recovery of the Gulf Coast from Hurricane Katrina. There currently are few resources that describe what should be included in a PDRP. CSA Planning created an introductory guide to developing a PDRP and will soon be revising this based on our increased knowledge regarding post-disaster planning gained during the past year. During our PDRP planning process, we referred to several academic resources, such as the Planning Advisory Service Report “Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction,” the few existing PDRPs, and Katrina recovery news as it unfolded. In addition, Florida Statutes include a few broad minimum requirements for post-disaster policies. Of course, while the lack of criteria and guidance can be frustrating, it does allow the flexibility for a community to create a groundbreaking planning document that can guide others in further developing post-disaster planning.

Past Clients – Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning Projects

• Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
  Regional Approach to Implementing Hazard Mitigation Initiatives
• Palm Beach County
  Countywide Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan