Thank you for sharing these thoughtful suggestions, Monica.
I wholeheartedly support the idea that equity must be a core of resilience and climate adaptation. However, I'm experiencing first-hand in my own community the corner we back ourselves into by refusing to consider even temporary displacement - or managed retreat.
I cannot support building new buildings in extremely climate-vulnerable locations such as sea-level rise zones and other flood plains. Such buildings are increasingly unlikely to be insurable, and we put the occupants at risk of property loss at best and life at worst. We have seen the tragedy that occurs when people are allowed to continue to use (and build new!) in flood plains. The Guadalupe River flood of last summer will haunt many people for their entire lives.
The displacement and gentrification issue is overwhelming. I don't have an answer. Construction is one of the most expensive things human beings do - economically, environmentally, emotionally. We can avoid displacement by retrofitting and building new resiliently - but in locations like the Guadalupe River floodplain, or an ocean cost, this will be extremely expensive. The short version of Hippocratic oath suggests something for us - first, do no harm.
Respectfully
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Gail Napell, AIA Emerita, LEED AP BD+C
Citizen Architect at Large
San Rafael CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2026 06:32 PM
From: Jaewoong Yi, AIA
Subject: EQFA Resilience Pledge Recommendations
Dear Monica, I really enjoyed reading your post. I think you need to be a bit clearer about why architects and/or the AIA should be at the center of these efforts. thank you.
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Jaewoong Yi AIA
EXP US Services
Tamuning
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