Municipal Coastal Hazard Planning: Los Angeles and Orange County City Responses, California

This paper describes results of two surveys of southern California municipal planners to determine their degree of emphasis given to coastal hazards within their jurisdictions. With growing property losses associated with the coastal zones of southern California, the studies were undertaken to assess the role of planning for hazards in coastal land use decisions. The findings show that while planners are gaining knowledge of their coastal zones, they still tend to view the coastal zone as just one element in the overall planning process. Their emphasis on day-to-day development permitting overshadows a proactive stance on strategic planning for coastal hazards.