San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
How to keep higher waters at bay
Region must design strategies that fit the land and communities affected
The cities, towns, infrastructure, job and event centers, and natural wonders that make our region unique, that drive our economy and draw tourists from all over the world, were all built around our defining natural asset: the San Francisco Bay. And yet, as climate effects cause the bay waters to rise, this great natural resource could become a liability, eroding shorelines, flooding infrastructure and displacing vulnerable populations in low-lying areas.
It is going to take the collective efforts of the best minds to solve this 21st century problem that threatens the very essence of our region.
Initiated in 2017, the Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge is attempting to do just that, with public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic partners collaborating to spark innovative strategies for addressing rising sea levels and flooding — and the ever-present threat of earthquakes. Over the past year, the challenge brought together designers, architects and ecologists with community residents, local leaders, aspiring youths and other invested stakeholders to develop site-specific solutions in nine locations and help chart a path toward greater resilience — while addressing underlying inequities that are eating away at the fabric of life in the Bay Area.
The names of the nine projects emerging from the challenge hint at the creative nature of these proposed solutions.
“South Bay Sponge” calls for knitting together a network of existing marshlands, restored salt ponds and newly constructed wetlands as a flood protection strategy along more than 20 miles of shoreline. In the words of the design team, it is “at once radically innovative, but resonant with the South Bay landscape today.”
“Estuary Commons” focuses on protecting local neighborhoods — including those in the vicinity of the Oakland Coliseum — and restoring the natural habitats of the communities along the shoreline of San Leandro Bay. Per the design team, “Through the construction of ponds, landforms and expanded streams, the communities of Deep East Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro will not only be able to adapt to sea level rise and groundwater flooding, but will also have a network of flourishing
greenways to enjoy for generations to come.”
“Grand Bayway” envisions transforming the flood-prone State Route 37 between Vallejo and Novato into an elevated scenic causeway that creates an iconic “front door” to a vast open space that can be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts and serve as a vital resource for rapidly growing North Bay communities.
The challenge opened up our imaginations to what is possible and taught us some truths along the way.
First off, local knowledge and expertise should be a primary ingredient in any recipe for success. For any strategy to be successful, it must arise from the lived experience and know-how of community residents and leaders.
Second, we need to leverage our public, private and philanthropic dollars to deliver outcomes that benefit people, our environment and the economy in an integrated way. Investments in transportation infrastructure, housing and jobs need to address the housing crisis, economic and social inequities, sea level rise and other hazards, among others. By working across disciplines, bringing different perspectives together, and building trust among disparate groups, we can develop the right strategies for the right places.
Third, engaging young people in these efforts brings new thinking to solving problems for a very different future, and it builds leadership capacity among the generations that will have to live with the new normal of sea level rise, more extreme weather and other uncertainties.
What’s next? The Bay Area passed the first climate adaptation ballot measure in the country with Measure AA in 2016, which will invest $500 million in wetland restoration along the San Francisco Bay over the next 20 years. Resilient by Design offers a menu of homegrown options for putting those dollars and future investments from different sectors and sources to best use. It’s a promising start, but it’s going to take billions more dollars, along with tremendous willpower, leadership and collaboration, to keep sea level rise at bay.
Allison Brooks is the executive director of the Bay Area Regional Collaborative, a coordinated effort to plan climate mitigation efforts of our four regional agencies: the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters.