Transfer of Development Rights for Coastal Adaptation: Conceptual Design and Practical Applications in the United States

In response to the risk of sea level rise, planning organizations advocate for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Programs as a tool for coastal climate adaptation. But are they effective? In this paper, we conducted a comparative study of coastal TDR programs in the United States and developed program prototypes. We found that TDR programs are better suited for coastal management and accommodation, but less effective for complete retreat. Meanwhile, success is more likely when single-zone and dual-zone approaches are combined in program design: the single-zone approach leverages market demand for coastal real estate, while the dual-zone approach safeguards environmental benefits.