THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS: RESILIENT HURRICANE RECOVERY PLANNING PRACTICES Tai Harley A capstone thesis paper submitted to the Executive Director of the Urban & Regional Planning Program at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Masters of Professional Studies in Urban & Regional Planning. Faculty Advisor: Scott Davis Academic Advisor: Uwe S. Brandes © Copyright 2018 by Tai Harley All Rights Reserved 2 ABSTRACT This thesis paper explores new urban planning practices for resilient recovery of the United States Virgin Islands on the basis of lessons learned from the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria. The findings of this research highlight how climate change requires the US Virgin Islands to forge new practices for efficient resilient planning and development. Without effective rebuilding practices, every future hurricane season will pose as a threat on the US Virgin Island’s economy and residents’ welfare. This paper argues that resilient planning initiatives can reduce the disruption of tourism revenue due to loss of infrastructure, telecommunications, and electricity. KEYWORDS United States Virgin Islands, Hurricane, Disaster Preparedness, Climate Change, Resilient Urban Planning, Sustainability, Tourism, Infrastructure, Building Codes 3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS Research question #1 What are the lessons learned from the recent hurricanes Irma and Maria? Research question #2 What are the current best practices for resilience planning in the United States Virgin Islands? Research question #3? Have current best practices incorporated the full spectrum of lessons- learned from recent hurricanes? 4 DEDICATION To my family, friends, and residents of the United States Virgin Islands (my hometown). This thesis paper is dedicated to the recovery efforts of hurricanes Irma and Maria that has forever changed the way of life, for better or for worst. As the territory rebuilds a resilient community, I present my paper as a guide for sustainable practices that can ensure recovery efforts are not misguided, effective, and are of the highest standards. 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am overwhelmed with joy that my decision to invest in myself by advancing my professional attributes has become the pillar to true fulfillment and happiness. I am honored and humbled to be a part of Georgetown University’s Urban & Regional Program, and to now be a part of the urban planning fabric of this dynamic city I live in, Washington, DC. I owe tremendous love and gratitude to my parental units: Cheryl & Dennis Chance & John and Lorna Harley. Thank you for instilling perseverance, confidence, strength, and a passion for education throughout my entire life. I am a reflection of your love, and I am forever thankful for having you throughout this existence. To my support system that has encouraged, advised, supported, and pushed me to be my best self when I doubted my own abilities, I thank you tremendously: Jackie George, Jacques Harley, Chere Harley, Cadilla George, Tischer Lockhart-Burrows, Dr. J’Ana Brady, Alana Abednego, and Bernita Boxill. To Shanika DeWindt, I am forever grateful for that day you informed me of the information session for Georgetown University’s Urban & Regional Planning Program. I attended the information session because of you, and it has forever changed the course of my life. Huge thanks Shani!!! I am thankful for learning from ALL my professors throughout this program! Your professionalism, expertise, and passion for the urban planning discipline has inspired my own passion and has given me guidance on how to successfully navigate my career in this field. To my advisor for this project Scott Davis: thank you for helping me see the full potential of my vision. I am appreciative of your time and expertise which has been a tremendous component in completing this project. Thank you to all my classmates that were in the trenches with me over these past two years completing group projects, studying for finals, and completing homework assignments. We did it! We made it! Finally, to Georgetown University: thank you for selecting me and giving me this opportunity for my professional advancement. I am forever thankful for being a part of this prestigious institution. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract and Keywords ....................................................................................................................2 Research Questions .........................................................................................................................3 Dedication ........................................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................5 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................6 List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................7 List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................8 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................9 Chapter One: Literature Review ....................................................................................................13 The Rise of Climate Change ..............................................................................................13 Lessons Learned from Past Storms ...................................................................................14 Disaster Preparedness and Risk Management ..................................................................17 Resilient Planning Practices ..............................................................................................18 100 Rockefeller Resilient Cities Program .........................................................................19 Chapter Two: Professional Best Practice Review .........................................................................21 Case Study: Bermuda ........................................................................................................21 Bermuda Building Code ....................................................................................................23 Bermuda Image: The Bermuda Roof .................................................................................25 Chapter Three: Research Methodology .........................................................................................29 Methodology .....................................................................................................................29 Literature Review/Primary Data/Secondary Sources .......................................................29 Chapter Four: Research Findings and Analysis .............................................................................31 Hurricane Marilyn September 1995 ..................................................................................31 Hurricane Irma September 2017 .......................................................................................35 Hurricane Maria September 2017 .....................................................................................38 Chapter Five: Thesis Articulation ..................................................................................................42 United States Virgin Islands First-Year Progress Report (Irma & Maria) .......................42 USVI Hurricane Recovery and Resilience Task Force Report 2018 .................................46 Resilient Urban Planning Recommendations ....................................................................47 Chapter Six: Conclusion ................................................................................................................48 Appendix: Interview with Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism ..........................49 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................51 7 LIST OF TABLES Table 2.7: Cement Boards Windspeed Criteria ….……………………………………………...28 Table 4.5: Highest Hurricanes Wind Speed Comparison ……………………………………….36 Table 4.13: Mainland United States Tropical Cyclones Causing at Least 1 Billion Dollars in Damage, 1990-2017(Not Adjusted for Inflation) ……………………………………………….41 Table 5.1: Household Income Distribution for the USVI and United States……………………43 Table 5.3: Future Climate Hazards in the US Virgin Islands……………………………………46 8 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: Puerto Rico Shocks and Stresses…………………………………………………… 20 Figure 2.1: Property Damage of Hurricane Fabian in Bermuda…………………………………22 Figure 2.2: Horizontal Support to Masonry Buildings…………………………………………..24 Figure 2.3: Reinforced Concrete/Connecting Walls……………………………………………..25 Figure 2.4: EPS Bermuda Profile Roof………………………………………………………….26 Figure 2.5: EPS Bermuda Profile Roof………………………………………………………….27 Figure 2.6: EPS Bermuda Roof Installation……………………………………………………..27 Figure 4.1: Best Track Positions for Hurricane Marilyn………………………………………...32 Figure 4.2: Hurricane Marilyn Devastation……………………………………………………...33 Figure 4.3: Hurricane Marilyn Devastation……………………………………………………...33 Figure 4.4: Hurricane Marilyn Devastation……………………………………………………...34