Paradise Rebuilding for Climate Resiliency

After the town of Paradise, California was devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire, community residents and leaders met to discuss recover and rebuilding. Four years later, almost 2,000 homes have been rebuilt, and plans for more high-density and affordable housing are underway. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently awarded the town almost $200 million to fund unmet needs such as water utilities, public utilities, sewers and evacuation routes.

Roads were redesigned so that no neighborhood was accessible only through single entry chokepoints and to create easily accessible evacuation routes. Broadband was increased in order to ease emergency communications and warning systems. Utilities such as gas and electric lines were improved and buried. A public sewer system was created. The local hospital was rebuilt. Large public parks were designed as safe havens in the case of fire, and as staging grounds for emergency services in the case of need. Investments are being made into sustainable design and infrastructure strategies, such as solar power and innovative building materials.

To learn more about the town's innovative rebuilding plan for sustainability, read the plan.