Managed Retreat and Planned Relocation
ECMN workstream
WorkStream
The “Managed Retreat and Planned Relocation” workstream aims to provide a space for academics/practitioners/policy-makers and researchers working on, or interested in, the strategic relocation of people, infrastructure, and activities away from areas exposed to environmental and climate risks.
Focus of the workstream
Research on managed retreat and planned relocation is growing across a range of disciplines, geographical contexts, and conceptual traditions. Yet researchers working on closely related questions do not always know of one another’s work or have regular opportunities to exchange across disciplinary and regional boundaries. This workstream seeks to create a space to connect those interested in this topic, share ongoing work and learn from the diverse approaches being used to study retreat and relocation.
We recognise that the concepts and terminology in this area are used differently. For the purposes of this workstream, we have chosen to use “managed retreat” as a broad umbrella concept rather than a strict definition. Our working understanding centres on the strategic relocation of people, infrastructure or activities away from high-risk areas, involving some form of public planning or governmental support.
At the same time, we acknowledge that “managed retreat” is a contested term and that researchers and practitioners may instead use terms such as planned relocation, managed relocation, resettlement or other related concepts. Rather than seeking to resolve these terminological debates, the workstream is interested in creating exchange across them and exploring how different concepts, practices and governance approaches shape processes of retreat and relocation.
The workstream is open to a broad range of questions and perspectives. These may include, among others, the governance and politics of retreat; community engagement and participation; questions of justice, equity and power; attachment to place and loss; compensation and property; legal and institutional frameworks; financing; implementation and long-term outcomes; and the ways in which retreat and relocation are imagined, contested and experienced in different contexts.
Creating a space for exchange
The initial motivation for this workstream is simple: to bring together people working on or interested in managed retreat and planned relocation and to learn more about who is working on what.
We hope to create an open and interdisciplinary space for exchange between researchers working in different national and regional contexts. The workstream is intended as a flexible forum whose activities can develop according to the interests of its members.
Possible activities may include:
- Regular online meetings to exchange on ongoing research and work in progress;
- Case study presentations and exchanges on practical experiences, lessons learned and challenges from managed retreat and planned relocation processes;
- Sharing relevant publications, calls, conferences, projects and other opportunities;
- Thematic discussions on conceptual, methodological and empirical questions;
- Creating connections between researchers working across disciplines and geographical contexts;
- Developing collaborative activities, such as workshops, conference sessions, papers or research proposals, where there is shared interest.
Join us!
We warmly welcome academics/practitioners/policy-makers, researchers and anyone else interested in managed retreat, planned relocation and related questions, regardless of disciplinary background, career stage or geographical focus.
People interested in joining the activities of this workstream can reach out to:
Holly Faulkner (HFaulkner@ucc.ie) and
Claudia Wolff (wolff@geographie.uni-kiel.de)
Opens an email to the workstream co-leads Holly Faulkner and Claudia Wolff.
Sessions & Activities
Our workstream meets online to share research, cases and practice on managed retreat and planned relocation. Follow the route so far, and what lies ahead.
Past Events
Introductory session & initial discussions
Members from across Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand introduced themselves and their interest in managed retreat and planned relocation.
Case study: Amberley Beach with Amy Allen
University of Canterbury (NZ) PhD student Amy Allen presented her research around “Reimagining transformative managed retreat” using the case study of Amberley Beach in the South Island of New Zealand. This explored the role of adaptation pathways, the applicable Coastal Adaptation Plan and the process of proactive relocation of Amberley Beach properties.
Additional information
A copy of Amy’s presentation and recording of the session is available for our workstream members
The Westport Project in New Zealand: an informal talk with Helen Kerr
Helen Kerr, a principal at New Zealand landscape architecture firm Isthmus, will give a short, informal talk about the Westport project, followed by discussion.
Additional information
Planned relocation in Ireland
Eugene Farrell will present key learnings and perspectives from A Planned Relocation (Managed Retreat) Working Paper, recently published by Ireland’s Climate Change Advisory Council. The session will include a short 15-minute presentation followed by discussion.
Additional information
The route continues — further sessions are in planning. Suggestions from members are always welcome.