DEVELOPMENT OF A COASTAL VULNERABILITY MODEL AND APPLICATION TOWARD FUTURE LAND USE PLANNING IN THE TOWN OF BLUFFTON, SC, USA

The management of surface water flooding in urban coastal areas faces an increasing array of compounding factors, including climate variations and rising sea levels, diminishing porous surfaces, changing wetland zones, and evolving infrastructure. The escalating pressure on urban communities underscores the need to distinguish areas where the risk of flooding and related hazards is high. This identification is crucial in developing planning measures for enhanced community resilience and adaptation. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), this project aims to develop a comprehensive coastal vulnerability model for the Town of Bluffton, South Carolina, USA. This vulnerability model will be used to help planners enhance the resilience of the community. Methodologies and data used for the model will be decided in conjunction with the Town of Bluffton, ensuring output that meets desired objectives for future resilience. Following model creation, a thorough examination of the Town's land use and rezoning policies will be undertaken to provide potential flood hazard mitigation strategies derived from model evaluation. This project will not only contribute to advancing and refining coastal vulnerability methodologies but will also provide a true case study on the adaptation process of at-risk urban landscapes.