Coastal communities have an uncertain future as municipalities grapple with an increase in the frequency of coastal flooding. This seminar offers a simple approach to make decisions based on systems thinking. The objective of this seminar is to explore how to represent the coast as a system, how to apply systems thinking to coastal infrastructure, and to offer a framework to employ an integrated systems approach. The framework aids a community to map its future in the face of the changing coastal waters and a way to assess if they are moving toward a solution. It also provides a disciplined way of structured thinking to judge a problem and determine whether a hard or soft systems approach is appropriate. This kind of thinking is necessary for a community to plan capital improvement investments that are compatible with an uncertain future brought about by cimate change.

David A. Pezza, D.Eng., P.E., D.GE., is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Old Dominion University. He is a Fellow Member in the American Society of Civil Engineers and a board-certified Diplomate in the Academy of Geoprofessionals. He was previously Deputy Chief of Engineering and Construction for the Headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.

CCPO Innovation Research Park Building I 4111 Monarch Way, 3rd Floor Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23508 757-683-4940