Adaptation Pathways for Climate Resilience
PAS QuickNotes 115
By Melissa May, AICP
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Adaptation pathways offer a flexible, measured approach to climate resilience. They define a sequence of adaptation actions that are triggered by observable events and impacts over time to achieve defined objectives under changing conditions. Adaptation pathways move beyond traditional "predict and plan" scenario-based approaches by tracking observed conditions against long-term projections, enabling threshold-based decision-making and phased investments in communities and infrastructure.
This edition of PAS QuickNotes explains how developing adaptation pathways for climate resilience facilitates proactive planning in the face of uncertainty around the timing, location, and extent of local climate change impacts.
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About the Author
Melissa May, AICP
Melissa May, AICP, is a principal at Integral Consulting with more than 20 years of experience advancing climate resilience across built environments. She has partnered with state and local planning and infrastructure agencies on a wide range of climate resilience initiatives. She has served as lead planning consultant on 11 APA award-winning projects, three of which received National APA awards.