Trade-offs and synergies in managing coastal flood risk: A case study for New York City

Decisions on how to manage future flood risks are frequently informed by both sophisticated and computationally expensive models. This complexity often limits the representation of uncertainties and the consideration of strategies. Here we use an intermediate complexity model framework that enables us to analyze a richer set of strategies, a wider range of objectives, and greater levels of uncertainty than are typically considered by more sophisticated and computationally expensive models. We find that allowing for more combinations of risk mitigation strategies can help expand the solution set, help explain synergies and trade-offs, and point to strategies that can improve outcomes.