38th Annual Student Research Conference
Climate Resilience in Small-Town Governance: Insights from Kirksville’s Comprehensive Plan
Olivia L. Zerega
Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentor
As climate change increasingly threatens communities worldwide, local governments play a critical role in developing strategies for resilience. Climate resilience refers to a community’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate-related hazards while maintaining or improving quality of life for residents. However, small town governments often face challenges in resilience planning due to limited resources and governance structures. Building upon a current wave of research in urban and community studies, environmental science, and public policy, this study seeks to understand how the local city government of Kirksville, Missouri engages in climate resilience by analyzing the city’s comprehensive plan. Through this content analysis, this research will identify dominant themes, policy priorities, and stakeholder involvement in city-level decision-making. The findings will contribute to interdisciplinary discussions on climate governance, urban planning, and community adaptation strategies.
Keywords: Small-town governance, Climate resilience, Comprehensive plan analysis, Community planning
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone
Environmental Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 205-1
Location: SUB Georgian B
Time: 10:15