Hope, community, and creating a future in the face of disaster

Abstract

Using the example of the Strengthening Grantham Project (which saw the relocation of an Australian town to higher ground following a deadly flood event in 2011), this chapter seeks to shine a positive light on managed retreat functions when the needs of a community are prioritized. The Grantham project saw 120 homes relocated to higher ground through a land-swap initiative. By focusing on community needs, the success of the project continues to be evident as the town still thrives a decade after it was completed. Three key themes ensured its success: Vision, leadership, and communication. As climate adaptation continues to rise in its urgency and necessity, the Grantham project offers hope and inspiration that managed retreat should not be viewed as a negative option and that recovery – both physical and emotional – is possible, even when it occurs in a new place.