Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook - Flipbook - Page 71
Geographic Assets
and Vulnerabilities
Ch.7
The geographic assets of a community can present both benefits and
vulnerabilities for increasing economic resiliency and improving community
recovery from economic disruptions. Each community has unique
characteristics that should be factored into disaster planning because they
play an important role in the community’s ability to recover from disasterrelated economic losses. Benefits may include a community’s unique
features that contribute to its economy and attract tourism, such as recreation
areas, agricultural products, historic sites, and special events. These features
not only support the local economy during non-disaster times, but are also
a proven factor in a successful economic recovery when they are made
operational post disaster.
Vulnerabilities may include the community’s ability to access services and
resources, its ability to coordinate with other neighboring jurisdictions and
stakeholders, and the climate-driven impacts unique to the makeup of the
community. Once the vulnerabilities of the community’s geographic makeup
are identified, the risk associated with those vulnerabilities can be assessed
to determine which actions can be taken to mitigate that risk. This increases
community resiliency to the known risks and enhances the community’s
ability to recover from the impacts of an economic disruption.
In some cases, geographic assets may present both a benefit and increased
vulnerability for the community, but both aspects must be assessed when
planning for economic resiliency and recovery. This chapter addresses
economic resiliency and recovery from an economic disruption based on
both the benefits and vulnerabilities that a community’s geographic assets
present. Key considerations for identifying benefits and vulnerabilities are
discussed, along with how to assess the benefits and risks they present to
economic recovery.
Identifying Geographic Benefts
Every community has geographic aspects that make it unique. Leveraging
these unique qualities to aid in economic resiliency and recovery is an
important part of ensuring the community can bounce back from a disaster or
economic shock. Many of a community’s distinctive geographic qualities help
generate revenue through tourism, goods and services, and special events.
Tourism. Consider what makes your jurisdiction unique and a place that
people want to visit. A good starting point is to ask agencies, such as the
local chamber of commerce or tourism agency, to assist in identifying
tourism draws. Some examples include recreational areas such as national
parks, national forests, rivers, and trails and also event venues such as
sports stadiums, theme parks, unique or compelling commercial areas, and
fairgrounds. It is also important to consider historic sites, popular and/or trendy
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