If you build it, who will come? Rethinking living shoreline site selection through integration of equity index and human well-being benefits using geospatially integrated method

Bibliographic Data

ID21450144
AuthorsLinden Cheek (0000-0003-1924-274X, University of South Florida, corresponding author), Barnali Dixon (0000-0002-7696-6544, University of South Florida), Maya A Trotz (0000-0002-1911-2534, University of South Florida), Maya Trotz
Year2025
Volume183
Pages103746
Publication date2025-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueApplied Geography (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0143-6228 • E-ISSN: 1873-7730
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.apgeog.2025.103746
OpenAlexW4413203400
LanguageEN
References cited31

Living shorelines (LS) are an emerging nature-based method to reduce erosion and storm damage while enriching shoreline habitat and providing adjacent communities with human well-being benefits derived from access to nature. Existing geospatial methods for selecting LS sites consider physical and ecological factors but rarely human well-being or equitable distribution of benefits. This research integrates these considerations into LS site selection through a desktop-based geospatial Living Shoreline Equity Index (LSEI) to streamline prioritization of LS sites that maximize equitable access to human well-being benefits. Equity was defined using a combination of equality-based-equity and needs-based-equity definitions. Index variables were identified and ranked using the Delphi Method: total population and vulnerable population within walking distance, creation of new access to blue/green-spaces, and accessibility to bike trails and bus stops. Dasymetric mapping was used to determine population distributions. The LSEI ranked 105 potential LS sites in Pinellas County, identifying 10 in four clusters as target areas for improving equity of access. The LSEI is designed to be user-friendly and can be applied by any municipality with basic demographic data and GIS capabilities. It aims to refine biophysical assessments by incorporating an equity lens, but should always be followed by community engagement. • o Developed GIS-based equity index to rank potential living shoreline sites. • o Living shorelines provide human wellbeing benefits as blue-green spaces. • o Index measures population within walking distance, targets blue-green space voids. • o Replicable model for prioritizing sites that maximize equitable access to benefits. • o Embeds LS site selection within a socio-cultural framework

Archaeology · Biology · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Equity (law) · Fishery · Geography · Human development (humanity) · Human Development Index · Index (typography) · Political science · Regional science · Selection (genetic algorithm) · Shore · Site selection · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Ecology · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Law · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access