Is Time on Our Side? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Quality of Mandated Plans

Abstract

Do plans get better over time? This deceptively simple question goes to the heart of our profession’s effectiveness. We use a multi-state, longitudinal analysis of eighty-four local plans to add to our knowledge base about changes in plan quality over time. Our longitudinal findings reinforce and extend the conclusions of previous cross-sectional studies of hazard mitigation plan quality. Simply put, local planning to meet federal Disaster Mitigation Act requirements grossly underperforms compared with its potential. Our findings raise cautionary lessons beyond the realm of risk reduction, as well as federal and state policymakers who seek to incentivize local planning.