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Disaster Risk Management For Coastal Tourism Destinations Responding To Climate Change A Practical Guide For Decision Makers Grenada (GOG) in partnership with UNDP. The GOG worked closely with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and UNDP to prepare the Policy and Operational Framework for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into the Post-Hurricane Ivan Reconstruction Process in Grenada. At the time of this catastrophic event, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) had embarked on a national risk reduction initiative in Grenada that involved hazard mapping and conducting vulnerability assessments, along with development of a national risk reduction policy and plan documents. A consultancy that involved a legislative review and institutional capability assessment for risk reduction was just getting underway as the hurricane struck the island. Its terms of integrating risk reduction in all aspects of the recovery and reconstruction the redevelopment authority for future events, enacting comprehensive disaster management legislation; strengthening building codes; and, providing tools and mechanisms for integrating risk reduction into the development review and physical planning functions. In general, the quality of construction is much higher and more disaster resistant since Hurricane Ivan, particularly in the public and formal sectors. There has been less success in the informal sector as owners and builders continue to build non-reinforced structures. The GOG adopted a comprehensive risk reduction plan with annual action plans required to foster implementation. The challenge facing Grenada will be to sustain these risk reduction initiatives over the long term. There are also a range of options that tourism destinations should consider for mainstreaming risk reduction in post-disaster recovery. Some examples include: Create a standing rapid assessment team which would be mobilized following major disaster events to evaluate recovery and risk reduction opportunities. Use hazard and risk scenarios (see section 4.3.3) to anticipate long-term recovery issues, develop new planning assumptions and delineate primary and secondary institutional roles for long-term recovery and reconstruction. Identify the hazard prone and high risk areas for which post-disaster rehabilitation and relocation of damaged or destroyed housing and public facilities should be prohibited. Establish a standing recovery task force or redevelopment authority that would be activated following a catastrophic event. Legislative action may be required to empower this entity with the necessary authority to assess damages, develop an overall recovery strategy and oversee reconstruction. Once the task force or authority completes its mission of complete recovery, it would then be decommissioned. Plan to restore dunes and coastal habitats to enhance protective environmental functions using “soft” engineering approaches following hazard events. 90 | Achieving Community Resilience
Disaster Risk Management For Coastal Tourism Destinations Responding To Climate Change A Practical Guide For Decision Makers Introduction of risk-based taxation and insurance premiums for infrastructure located in highly vulnerable areas. redevelopment projects and restrict redevelopment activities that will exacerbate vulnerability in high risk areas. of increased climate-risk. This geographic setting is very appealing to resort developers and will continue to be highly sought after. Coasts and beaches are still magnets for tourists and are the cornerstone of the tropical tourism experience. Yet, the Caribbean region has already witnessed the actions of a major insurance company abandoning its coastal resort clients at a popular island destination because of the increased cost of underwriting their operations; and insurance premiums for hotels have escalated over the past several years. With the upward spiral of oil and food prices the operating environment has been dramatically altered for the tourism industry. Coastal tourism communities and resorts are grappling with escalating costs from these challenges and from repeated battering from coastal hazards. The choice is clear: climate-proof and resilient destinations and communities are strategies that must be adopted and fast. The good news is that there is a wealth of know-how, expertise and experience readily available from multiple sources. conserving energy, natural resources and critical ecosystems, end up improving their bottom-lines in the short and long term and creating shareholder value. Coastal ecosystems naturally protect and nourish coastlines. These should be considered a treasured national resource and treated accordingly with diligent care and preservation. 7 “Each natural disaster leaves in its wake an overwhelming volume of evidence of how planning and investment decisions contribute to vulnerability – and the consequent risk of further disasters. Natural Hazard Risk Management in the Caribbean: Revisiting the Challenge.” CGCED, 2002. On the other hand, human communities and systems require preventative and preparedness actions against disasters. The challenge is overcoming the apathy and lack of will of politicians, entrepreneurs and residents. This, however, can also be solved through awareness-raising of disaster events, enlightened leadership, public and private sector cooperation and commitment to a common goal. That is, of a tourism destination that delivers on its promise consistently and has an established reputation for protecting its residents, businesses and visitors against the effects of natural hazards. 91
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1 Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose of the
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