Funded by the William Penn Foundation and led by the Clean Air Council, the Climate Resilient Communities Project proposes a cohesive and unified strategy to combat the ever-growing and compounding threats of flooding and industrial exposure, known as ‘Natech Hazards’ that loom over the region. Through collaborations with communities, local leaders, and technical experts, the project leverages the strengths and knowledge of each stakeholder, ensuring that the most effective and sustainable solutions are brought to the forefront and shared across the region.
Over its three-year duration, the initiative harnessed collective local knowledge and technical expertise to recommend innovative strategies for the specific environmental challenges facing the participating communities. Looking beyond physical protection, the vision driving this initiative is transformative and empathetic. It aspires to rethink our relationship to community, industry and natural systems, harnessing the power of social capital and science-driven outcomes to ensure Lower Schuylkill and Delaware River communities are more resilient to climate change and its many impacts. Through the planning and community engagement process, the project also included the design and construction of park revitalizations with residents from Marcus Hook, Trainer, Chester, and Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood.