Finding Ground relocation zine

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Every year, millions of people are displaced due to climate events. Climate hazards are reshaping our communities, and families are rethinking where they choose to live, work, play, and go to school. In response, governments are creating programs to help people move out of harm’s way – from individual household “buyout” programs to communitywide relocation efforts.

Making Room for our Neighbors, an initiative led by Rebuild by Design, University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, and One Architecture & Urbanism, puts communities at the center of determining their own future, particularly when it comes to difficult conversations around relocation. Through a series of workshops and conversations with residents, faith leaders, nonprofit leaders, and agencies, our team realized we needed a new approach to introducing the topic of climate relocation.

This three-part graphic novel was born from a realization that blending storytelling and visual art, we can make these difficult conversations more approachable. Each chapter draws from real experiences and concerns voiced by residents, while also highlighting best practices that communities can advocate for within buyout programs. These stories
underscore the vital role of neighbors and trusted messengers in helping communities make hard decisions, heal, and move forward.

In a time of rising waters, it’s our shared stories—and our shared choices—that will shape our shared future.

Finding Ground: A Story of Floods, Neighbors, and New Beginnings