Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study employed a sequential explanatory strategy mixed methods approach in order to explore the potential effects of a 100-year floodplain revision in Ada County, Idaho. Results indicate that vulnerable populations are more likely to be affected negatively by floodplain revisions, especially those in Garden City, Idaho. This study finds that vulnerable populations not only include those with lower socio-economic statuses, but also populations that are in the middle class. These populations may become strained and as a result, displacement, voluntary migration, neighborhood instability, and gentrification may occur. There is also a disparity amongst professionals within the public sector versus the private sector who perceive that impacts may only be short-term, rather than long-term. This study then concludes with a discussion of possible adjustments that can be made at the micro- and meso- level enabling individuals and communities to adapt, which in turn may potentially increase community resiliency.