InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Module 12: Sea level rise policy > Selecting Strategies > Non-structural strategies
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 8, 2016

Non-structural strategies

In addition to the structural strategies listed above, communities may also use non-structural strategies for preparing for sea level rise and related hazards. Several of these non-structural strategies are listed in the table below, along with their potential benefits and costs.

Non-structural strategyPotential CostsPotential Benefits
InsuranceCan encourage those who can afford premiums to remain in high-risk areasSupports disaster recovery; can incentivize structural protections or retreat
ZoningRezoning or establishing special sea level rise overlay zones can be politically contentious, depending on the prohibitions and restrictions proposed for the new zones; zoning allowing or encouraging hard armoring can cause erosion and other negative environmental effectsFlexible tool that can prohibit new construction, rebuilding, or renovation in high risk areas; protect environmentally sensitive areas; or specify the types of structural protections that may be used in an area
Flood plain regulationOften used to enforce building codes but not for more protective prohibitions/restrictions on construction; National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood plain zones are based on historical flooding and do not account for sea level riseCan be used to restrict what can be built in flood plains and/or how such structures can be built (e.g. elevation and anchoring requirements); required for community participation in NFIP
Building codesCan be costly when retrofitting existing development; may provide inadequate protection for extreme sea level rise-enhanced storm surge eventsEasy to implement for new development; can reduce insurance premiums
Tax breaksCan reduce tax revenueCan provide politically popular incentive to steer development away from high-risk areas
Direct paymentsDirect payments for acquiring high-risk properties can be expensive; some property holders may not be willing to sellPurchased land can be used for environmental restoration and can provide buffer against surge and erosion for adjacent properties
Real estate disclosuresRequires expensive sea level rise modeling to determine geographic extent of notification requirement; may reduce property valuesCan discourage development in high-risk areas; can encourage buyers/developers to adopt flood protection measures

Source: Non-structural strategies for preparing for sea level rise and related hazards. Costs and benefits based on Georgetown Climate Center's Adaptation Tool Kit

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »