Data‐Driven Equitable Planning for Urban Resilience: Innovation, Risk, and Outcomes in Boston, New Orleans, and Norfolk

Abstract

Coastal cities around the world seek to mitigate the intensifying impacts of sea‐level rise and stormwater on urban infrastructure and human safety and well‐being. Our comparative case study of Boston, New Orleans, and Norfolk examines how cities use data and smart technologies to inform resilient infrastructure planning, with a focus on equity and social justice outcomes. Drawing on Kitchin’s (2021) critical framework of data as socially constructed, we analyze how data is defined, collected, and deployed in coastal resilience planning in each of these cities. Findings demonstrate how data practices can reinforce existing power dynamics. The comparison points to three critical factors affecting equitable data‐driven resilience planning: (a) centering community participation in determining what data is collected and how it is used; (b) making technical data accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences; and (c) implementing transparent monitoring mechanisms that enable communities to track progress and address unintended consequences. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges in using data for equitable urban resilience planning, offering insights for policymakers and urban planners grappling with similar challenges globally.