ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on managing retreat in the United States, although the discussion will be more broadly applicable. It explores a three-part strategy for managing retreat. The chapter discusses reduce new development in the highest-risk areas. It describes adopt policies that allow for expected and orderly removal or modification of development as inundation occurs. The chapter also focuses on advantage of disasters to implement retreat strategies. It offers suggestions on when and how institutional change may be achieved. Coastal areas often have higher concentrations of people and capital. Limiting new development in high-risk areas may also be appropriate if those making decisions about development do not have accurate information about climate risks or if they are not bearing all the costs of their decisions. The chapter concludes by discussing the challenges of institutional change, broadly defined, drawing on theories of the policy process.
