Hayward Regional Shoreline Adaptation Master Plan

The client, a joint powers agency, allowed for a unique collaboration between municipal and regional agencies to manage the shoreline, as well as more robust engagement with stakeholder groups across the entire region. Today, many Bay Area communities are already experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand through king tides, flooding and groundwater emergence. Climate models indicate sea-level rise will only grow more acute, threatening critical infrastructure; homes and businesses; bayland ecosystems and habitat; recreational assets; and much more. This is particularly evident along the Hayward shoreline—a rich mosaic of mudflats, tidal marshes, salt ponds, landfills, solar fields and diked wetlands that double as habitat for diverse native wildlife.

Informed by a collaborative process of in-person and digital engagement, the team used the input of stakeholders, community members and business owners to determine a preferred alignment and overall strategy for risk reduction along the shoreline. By focusing on interactive engagement, community members were encouraged to get directly involved—including through a public Shore Tour with experts; a video-rich website enabling continual feedback over several months of design refinement; and transparency through regular social media features. The final preferred plan was released in Fall 2020. As a direct result of the plan, a Phase I project at the Oro Lama wastewater treatment plant is currently in development.