InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Module 12: Sea level rise policy > Assessing Costs and Benefits > Types of benefits and costs
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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

Types of benefits and costs

As this example suggests, strategies for preparing for sea level rise can have many different types of costs and benefits, including changes to vulnerability and the local economy. The table below summarizes some of these possible costs and benefits.

Possible CostsPossible Benefits
New or continuing construction, maintenance, and operation costsAvoided construction, maintenance, and operation costs
Economic costsEconomic benefits
Residual or increased vulnerabilityReduced vulnerability
Environmental degradationEnvironmental benefits
Negative impacts on community design/livabilityImprovements to community design/livability
Decreased equityIncreased equity
Inconsistency with local goals, plansConsistency with local goals, plans

Types of possible costs and benefits for sea level rise mitigation strategies. Adapted from "Urban Waterfront Adaptive Strategies," City of New York Department of Planning, June 2013

This list is not exhaustive, but instead provides examples of the types of costs and benefits frequently considered when planning for sea level rise and related hazards. In a real participatory planning environment, stakeholders are often asked to brainstorm lists of possible costs and benefits, which may be more or less extensive than those listed here.

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 »