Welcome to our DRRN member highlights! Every few weeks we will spotlight a member of the DRRN, starting with those who are part of the newly launched Academic Advisory Panel. This week, meet Kees Lokman!
Kees Lokman
Assistant Professor
School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture
Expertise: Design challenges related to sea level rise adaptation, water and food shortages, and the energy transition
1. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your current research?
I’m Kees Lokman, Director of the UBC Coastal Adaptation Lab and Principal Investigator of the Living with Water (LWW) project. My research focuses on climate adaptation and flood resilience, particularly in flood-prone coastal regions. Through LWW, we explore nature-based solutions, like wetland restoration, and innovative governance structures that incorporate Indigenous and local perspectives. By combining scientific research with community knowledge, my work aims to develop strategies that support both human and ecological needs. The goal is to create adaptive approaches to climate impacts, particularly flood risks, that are resilient, equitable, and sustainable, giving communities tools to respond to future challenges while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
2. What motivated you to become a part of the DRRN community?
I joined DRRN to connect with researchers and professionals dedicated to building resilience across disciplines. DRRN’s interdisciplinary environment supports my work on integrated flood management and coastal adaptation, connecting my research with broader networks of expertise and practical insight. This collaboration enriches my approach to resilience, especially in translating research into solutions for decision-makers and communities. DRRN’s focus on applied resilience research makes it a powerful platform to share knowledge, strengthen disaster resilience strategies, and help communities adapt to a changing climate by integrating diverse knowledge sources and advancing shared goals.
3. What insights would you like to share with practitioners or policymakers about your research?
My research centers on developing planning, design, and policy solutions for coastal adaptation through the co-production of knowledge among researchers, decision-makers, and Indigenous communities. This approach integrates areas often studied in isolation—such as critical infrastructure, coastal habitat squeeze, nature-based solutions, and managed retreat—into a cohesive framework that places climate and spatial justice at its core. By focusing on equitable, community-informed strategies, my work transforms how we approach coastal adaptation, supporting human and ecological communities as they adapt to flood risks and uncertain futures. This perspective helps policymakers create adaptation measures that are sustainable and aligned with community values.
4. How do you see yourself leveraging DRRN’s interdisciplinary approach in your work? What is your vision for the network?
DRRN’s interdisciplinary approach is invaluable for tackling complex, interconnected resilience challenges. By uniting diverse expertise, the network provides a foundation for robust research in flood resilience, ecosystem health, and community adaptation. I see DRRN fostering innovative, collaborative projects that produce effective, adaptive solutions for evolving risks. My vision is for DRRN to lead in developing strategies that integrate science, policy, and community input to ensure comprehensive, actionable resilience. This approach helps establish solutions that reflect the interconnectedness of resilience challenges and emphasize adaptability across sectors, supporting communities in facing climate impacts and other risks effectively.
5. Can you share a specific project or initiative within DRRN that excites you the most? Why is it important?
The BC Atlas of Disaster project stands out to me as particularly impactful, providing an accessible, comprehensive overview of how disasters affect communities across the province. This project is essential because it translates complex data into clear insights, empowering policymakers, practitioners, and community members to better understand vulnerabilities and build resilience. By centralizing and visualizing disaster impacts, the Atlas guides immediate planning and long-term adaptation, offering a valuable resource for building a safer, more informed, and resilient British Columbia. It exemplifies the power of data-driven, accessible tools in transforming resilience planning at local and provincial scales.
6. What future developments in disaster resilience research are you most interested in or concerned about?
I’m particularly interested in research foregrounding Indigenous knowledge, land management practices, and two-eyed seeing—blending Indigenous and Western perspectives in resilience planning. As climate impacts grow, these approaches are crucial for creating culturally responsive, adaptive strategies that genuinely support communities. Prioritizing Indigenous ways of knowing and land stewardship creates a holistic view of resilience, addressing environmental risks while respecting community values and traditional relationships with the land. By strengthening culturally attuned adaptation efforts, resilience planning becomes more inclusive, ensuring that solutions not only mitigate risks but also align with and support the cultural and ecological needs of affected communities.