This project develops a set of recommendations and lessons learned for using the Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF) in planning and decision-making. It synthesizes information from three case studies to be conducted in Providence, RI; Houston, TX; and coastal VA. The IRPF is designed to enhance critical infrastructure resilience and inform policy decisions. The project seeks to identify and address constraints faced by local, regional, Tribal, and territorial governments in applying the IRPF to critical infrastructure systems, with the goal of improving coastal resilience and infrastructure protection. Effective coordination and communication across institutions and regions are crucial, and URI will lead collaborative efforts among the research teams to implement IRPF principles and reduce risks.

The project investigates the question “What are the constraints and impediments faced by local/regional/tribal/territorial governments in applying the IRPF and related resources with infrastructure providers and how can these impediments be addressed, given the cross-sector and multi-jurisdictional nature of critical infrastructure systems and services?” The project will examine use of the Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF), published in 2021, in different planning contexts at different geographic scales, including port master planning focused on the local municipal scale, regional flood planning, and hazard mitigation planning conducted at the regional and municipal scales. The study will look across the three case study locations being studied through this larger funded project: Providence, RI, Houston, TX, and coastal VA, each briefly described below:

The Providence, Rhode Island case study will focus on incorporating IRPF principles and materials into the port master planning process in coordination with the City of Providence, ProvPort, and Waterson Terminal Services. URI will conduct the IRPF Section 3 “Risk Assessment” as part of the Port Master Plan. This planning effort will focus on lands owned by ProvPort and potential acquisitions over the next decade, taking into account the port’s exposure to natural hazards and its proximity to vulnerable communities. The inclusion of IRPF components aims to provide a comprehensive view of natural hazards resilience, particularly for critical infrastructure and supply chains. This integration during the live planning process allows for real-world testing and identification of barriers, with potential for scaling the methodology to include supply chain impacts related to the Port of Providence.

The Houston, Texas, case study will focus on the application of the IRPF to align with and inform regional flood planning efforts in the Houston-Galveston Area (HGA) of Texas. By identifying constraints and impediments in using the IRPF for flood planning in the HGA, this case study will highlight how the tool can be improved to strengthen planning around critical infrastructure services that are disrupted by flooding events. This case study will focus on the application of the IRPF to align with and inform regional flood planning efforts in the Houston-Galveston Area (HGA) of Texas. This case study will highlight how the tool can be improved to strengthen planning around critical infrastructure services that are disrupted by flooding events and the lessons learned from application of the IRPF in the HGA will benefit planning efforts across the U.S. The project team will establish a partnership with the Region 6 Regional Flood Planning Group and review the IRPF process in relation to the regional flood plan. They will define goals, expand the stakeholder list, and gather relevant data. A Collaborative Planning Group (CPG) will be formed, and stakeholders will be invited to join the planning effort.

The coastal Virginia, case study will retrospectively assess how the IRPF could have been applied during the hazard mitigation planning process in localities and regions across coastal Virginia, including the Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia (CISA Region III) area. The hazard mitigation planning process in Virginia takes place at the regional level, with localities in the region adopting the regional hazard mitigation plan (HMP). The regional planning processes and resulting HMPs are incorporated into the state hazard mitigation planning process. This state level planning benefits from these processes and plans that are systematic and consistent across the different regions. This case study will examine how IRPF could be applied to regional hazard mitigation planning and the potential benefits or outcomes of this application such as incorporation of a systematic risk assessment process or adoption of a consistent framework that allows improved coordination across the regions and at the state level.