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Construction Management and the Climate Change in Florida

Trey McGee

Georgia Southern University

Technical Communications

Professor Pease
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Executive Summary

Florida is a popular destination that dictates the needs of new properties to meet the demands of

the state. Construction managers are facing new challenges and obstacles to overcome the threats

imposed by climate change. The studies conducted showed that elevation and new materials to

better address these challenges. The literature provided several different considerations for

construction managers to employ when operating in Florida. Rising sea levels, hurricanes and

greater heat are just a few considerations managers have to address before moving forward with

operations. Florida has also implemented laws designed to reduce environmental damage and to

protect the integrities of the new infrastructures. Construction managers have to be willing to

take a proactive approach to addressing these environmental changes. Florida has been very

verbal with their change in regulation and requirements for building, especially on the coastline,

shortly. Project managers have to spend the extra time and money on training and materials to be

able thrive in the vastly changing Florida environment.

Construction Management and the Climate Change in Florida

Florida is considered a go-to destination for tourists and a hot spot for construction to

meet the growing demand of the state. However, climate changes have directly impacted the

means of operations and dictated that provisions be made to ensure that the rising sea level.

Climate change has taken its toll on construction managers and forced them to adapt to new

means of operations. The highly coveted beachfront properties are also directly threatened by the

rising sea level and other environmental dangers brought about by climate change. The managers

must consider what provisions can be employed to aid in protecting these properties. The

elevation is one recommendation to secure these properties. Construction managers will have to

continue to adapt to new practices, while complying with the state’s mandates, to reduce their

impact on the environment and addressing the growing threats with climate change.

Scope/Research Methods

In one study, a mixed linear model was used to assess the price variation for variables

such as elevation. “Elevation was found to have a positive effect on price appreciation in 24 of

the 25 jurisdictions under study” (Keenan & Gumber, 2018). The study indicates that there were

107,312 properties demonstrated in the studies and the 24 jurisdictions represent 98.1% of these

homes. The changing climate threatens the safety of these properties because of the rising sea

levels. However, raising the level of these homes offers a greater level of security and protection

to the threat of these homes.

A study conducted in Sarasota in regard to construction and the threats of climate change

also integrated a different methodology. “We then built on the results of the quantitative analysis

with qualitative data collected in a hybrid session of focus groups and participatory mapping

exercises” (Frazier, Wood, & Yarnal, 2010). The study was to determine the threat of hurricanes
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and climate change of the demand and safety of the homes. The clear demand for constructing

new properties to meet the growing tourist and residential needs; however, the threat of climate

damage is also growing. It requires construction managers to plan differently to address the

changing means in which they operate.

Literature Review/Results

Miami Beach shows a negative correlation between price appreciation and property

elevation. The methodology shows the variation is between price appreciation and the proximity

to the water. The variation is because of the perceived threat of the rising sea level and the

potential threat to the property. If the water rises it can damage and even destroy the property,

leaving the homeowners to battle with the insurance companies. Individuals who invest hundreds

of thousands of dollars into a beachfront property are not willing to gamble their money against

the growing threat of climate change. Climate change is inevitably impacting the sea levels and

the continual rise means it could wipe out these beautiful properties. Construction management

in Florida has to continue to progress to find a means to combat these issues. Many different

approaches are discussed which could aid in the needed change. According to Keenan & Gumber

(2018), elevating the property would allow the water to rise without damaging the building.

Sarasota is another popular beachfront location that is facing new threats due to climate

changes. The homes are directly threatened by hurricanes and rising sea levels. Homeowners are

investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a house and they want added security against

these climate threats. Construction managers need to be able to offer new means to protect these

investments that can include different materials, new geographic locations, and other means to

ensure these properties can withstand more weather challenges than before. It can result in more

construction time and material cost to complete the project. Managers have to factor in these
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variables when bidding for a job because the past means of operation are no longer relevant.

These new processes will continue to evolve to ensure that these owners are securing their

investments. The state of Florida also has provisions to ensure that construction is not further

damaging the environment. Many factors have to be considered to continue in this field.

Florida continues to grow with the demand for developers to design new properties to

accommodate the population. Waterfront properties are not just in high demand, they are also

extremely costly. Construction managers who get these high-dollar contracts are tasked with new

requirements that offer new securities against the effects of climate change. According to Bolstad

(2016), by the time 2050 hits, about 15 billion dollars of beachfront properties will be damaged

or even eliminated by the rising sea level. That is a significant number and it shows that

homeowners are starting new demand new means to ensure their investment will not be wiped

away in a few decades. Even though Florida is considered to be a form of paradise, the climate

threats are making people question the location for its long-term wellbeing. Storm-resistant

material is just one method of marketing that construction managers are beginning to employ.

The reality is that each location brings about a new set of demands for building and

development.

Discussion

Florida is a very popular location for new residents, retirees, investors, and vacationing

families. The state offers a beautiful environment, beachfront scenery, and a picturesque

landscape. The appeal is high, but despite the many positive considerations, there is the growing

threat of climate change on the environment. Construction managers have made millions of

dollars building beachfront homes. Climate change has brought about new threats like rising

water levels and the impact of the oceans on these properties. “ Many are beginning to realize
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that protecting people and property from more intense storms, higher temperatures, and sea-level

rise will require a massive investment in ideas and infrastructure, as long as the state wants to

retain a vibrant, viable economy in the face of a changing climate” (Bolstad, 2016). Construction

managers have to employ new methods of building these costly homes and what materials will

offer added longevity against these new threats. Many studies have shown the different

approaches that have been considered, leaving it to the manager to decide what direction to take.

The state of Florida is aware of the different challenges and has employed new policies in

efforts to protect the community. “A major component of the Act was an advisory board for state

energy policies. In its 2007 report, the Florida Public Service Commission detailed steps and a

schedule for the development of a state climate action plan” (Deady, 2018). The state is not only

concerned about the properties but the impact of the construction companies on the future of the

environment. Therefore, to remain competitive and to be able to meet the changing demands of

the consumer's project managers have to be prepared to address the new challenges. Reducing

the carbon footprint will reduce coastal erosions, contaminated drinking water, and even

devastating hurricanes. The state has also dictated that they will limit and even control the

coastline construction in the near future. Construction managers have to balance the well-being

of their workers, new methods of operation, and materials to accommodate these changes.

The construction industry, as a whole, can no longer depend on the one size fits all for

operations. A national company can build a house with one set of requirements in Ohio, but

cannot employ the same practices in Florida. Climate change is not just about rising sea levels,

but also heat, air, and other project risks that have to be evaluated and accommodations made. It

can directly affect the bottom line, and these added costs have to be factored in before bidding on

any job. If the customer and the state mandate certain regulations, the managers have to consider
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the provisions and how they can comply with the requirements. Ultimately, being proactive

about climate change and how it can impact the construction industry is necessary to remain

successful in the industry. If a manager is unable or unwilling to make such provisions, they may

find themselves losing business and even out of a job. Construction managers have to be

adaptive, and climate change is just one of the variables involved in the job.

Conclusions

Construction managers have to adapt to new practices along with state mandates to

reduce their impact on the environment and addressing the growing threats of climate change.

The construction industry is facing new challenges that require changes to operations, materials,

and even designs. Managers not only have to consider their employees but also their employees

and the state requirements for doing business. Florida offers a beautiful landscape and a high

demand for construction. In order to continue to thrive, changes have to be implemented to

protect the integrity of these new buildings. Being proactive is essential to being successful in the

industry. Without such an approach, construction managers and companies will continue to fail

and lose business opportunities in Florida. Florida offers new challenges, but employing a new

method of operation will ensure the manager's future success.

Future projections of Miami Beach shoreline (Frazier)

Florida’s coastline after sea level rises 5 meters (Bolstad)

References

Bolstad, E. (2016). Seas rising but Florida keeps building on the coast. Scientific American.

[Link]

coast/

Deady, E. L. (2018). Update on the Legal and Planning Issues of Climate Change Facing

Florida. REPORTER, 38(4).

Frazier, T. G., Wood, N., & Yarnal, B. (2010). Stakeholder perspectives on land-use strategies

for adapting to climate-change-enhanced coastal hazards: Sarasota, Florida. Applied

Geography, 30(4), 506-517.

Keenan, J. M., Hill, T., & Gumber, A. (2018). Climate gentrification: from theory to empiricism

in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Environmental Research Letters, 13(5), 054001.