Projects
As our team and project have evolved over the years, our core values have consistently remained at the heart of our work. We have organized our efforts into three primary research scopes: Foregrounding Community-based Values, Broadening the Solutions Space, and Examining Governance Arrangements. These scopes not only guide our research but also reflect our commitment to addressing complex challenges through diverse perspectives. Many of our projects span multiple scopes, underscoring their interconnectedness. Examples within these areas include scholarly work, thesis projects, policy recommendations, workshops, community engagement initiatives, and websites, each contributing unique insights and practical outcomes. Through these examples, we aim to illustrate how these scopes interact and complement each other, driving more holistic and effective solutions.
Foregrounding Community-Based Values
The scope “Foregrounding Community-Based Values” highlights the importance of placing Indigenous and local perspectives at the center of adaptation efforts. Living with Water emphasizes the role of Indigenous communities in managing and adapting to coastal environments, drawing on their deep-rooted knowledge and experience in fostering relationships with ecosystems, developed over centuries of connection to the land and water. Integrating these knowledge systems into contemporary approaches supports reconciliation while amplifying Indigenous-led solutions. This collaborative approach creates adaptation strategies that are both scientifically sound and culturally meaningful. Blending diverse perspectives strengthens our ability to address environmental challenges in a holistic and sustainable way.
Broadening the Solutions Space
The scope "Broadening the Solution Space" highlights Living with Water’s aim to explore a wide range of adaptation options that extend beyond traditional hard-infrastructure solutions. By drawing on insights from fields such as ecology, Indigenous Knowledge, law, architecture, and social sciences, the project seeks to uncover innovative pathways for addressing coastal flooding and climate risks. This broadened perspective ensures adaptation strategies are not only technically robust but also socially, culturally, and environmentally considerate, fostering more equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Examining Governance Arrangements
The scope "Examining Governance Arrangements" focuses on enhancing multi-level governance structures to support effective and equitable coastal adaptation. Living with Water champions the inclusion of diverse values and perspectives in decision-making processes, ensuring all rightsholders and stakeholders—particularly those most impacted by adaptation decisions—are meaningfully heard. This includes fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities, governments at all levels, the private sector, and civil society. By prioritizing the recognition of Indigenous rights and knowledge within these frameworks, the project seeks to create governance systems that are inclusive, just, and responsive. Strengthened communication and coordination across these levels aim to develop more effective solutions to coastal flooding challenges that address the needs of all involved.
