In May of 2019 Greater Miami and the Beaches (GM&B) collectively made a pivot towards establishing a more resilient community and a better, more equitable future for all, with the official release of the Resilient305 Strategy.
Resilient305 is an unprecedented collaborative effort that delivers on a partnership among government, not-for-profit business and academic organizations to address shocks and stresses in the (GM&B) that will ensure a resilient and thriving future for all.
As our community matures, there is an increasing need to work together to better prepare for shocks such as hurricanes, flooding, infrastructure failures and pandemics like Zika. Our collaboration will also mitigate stresses such as traffic, sea-level rise, affordable housing, and expansion of economic opportunities.
Over a three-year period, with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, strategy partner AECOM and local champion The Miami Foundation, the Resilient305 Strategy was developed based on input from a series of public meetings, surveys and focus groups with the participation of thousands of stakeholders.
GM&B residents and subject matter experts have shared success stories and opportunities throughout the 34 cities in Miami-Dade. A key goal of the Strategy is the foundation of a successful network that will elevate our most vulnerable residents and close our equity gaps. Together, we have an opportunity to work differently – more leadership, collaboration and leveraging of resources.
The three Chief Resilience Officers from Miami-Dade County, and the cities of Miami and Miami Beach are tasked with leading the charge on these efforts in a coordinated and impactful way. Resilient305 is a 20-year vision with 59 actions, some of which are already being implemented. The Strategy is organized in three simple yet important sections—PLACES, PEOPLE & PATHWAYS.
Many people came to Southeast Florida because they were drawn by the beautiful natural environment and the surrounding waters of this sub-tropical paradise. Those same features today pose threats as well as opportunities. In the PLACES section, you will find actions centered around preserving our bay, bolstering our beaches, and creating mobility and neighborhood hubs.
Individual PEOPLE are the heart and soul of a resilient neighborhood, society, and city and should be able to retain their basic needs. In the PEOPLE section, you will find action items focused on creating financial stability for our residents and diverse communities, advancing public health opportunities from our youngest residents to our respected elders, and better preparing our community for disasters.
PATHWAYS is how we connect PEOPLE to PLACES. It is our “how to.” PATHWAYS actions lead us to resilience by sharing resources and providing training and capacity building opportunities as we create our own Resilient 35 Network in the 305.
To turn the actions into reality, Greater Miami & the Beaches launched the aptly named PIVOT team (Progress, Innovation, and Vision for Our Tomorrow), which is led by the GM&B team and The Miami Foundation and will grow as participants are recruited for different action implementation.
With commitments to join the Resilient305 movement from 27 of the 34 municipal mayors in Miami-Dade County, we are already well on our way to successfully implementing the Strategy.
Commissions from the City of Miami, City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County voted to officially adopt the Strategy as the policy that will guide their resilience efforts throughout all departments. Moving forward, Greater Miami & the Beaches is excited to continue this important work as the first community partner of the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.
Resilient305 and ongoing implementation mark a pivot point for our community: a new, unified approach that looks at many of the challenges we already face through an innovative and holistic framework.
This Strategy is a much-needed roadmap towards protecting our tremendous natural environment and supporting the social and economic health of the region so our residents can both survive and thrive. We invite you to join us for a more Resilient305! Follow the movement at @Resilient305 and let us know your thoughts #Resilient305.
