Description: Iowan communities are increasingly facing the combined challenges of flood risk and housing vulnerability, yet resilience planning often overlooks this intersection. The 2025 Bellevue & Papillion Housing Resilience Plan demonstrates a replicable approach to integrating flood risk management with housing and land use planning in a non-coastal context.

This session highlights a collaboration between planners and water resource engineers to assess housing vulnerabilities using GIS, floodplain data, and community input. The project identified targeted “Housing Resiliency Policy Areas” and developed strategies to reduce housing loss, align infrastructure and land use decisions, and prioritize vulnerable populations.

Attendees will gain practical tools and lessons for incorporating housing into flood resilience efforts, with strategies that can be applied to Iowa communities. The session emphasizes moving from reactive disaster recovery toward place-based resilience planning.

Authors: Greg Pierce, Maya Struhar, Kristina TeBockhorst

Author Bios: Maya Struhar – RDG, Urban Planner

Maya Struhar is an urban planner in the Des Moines office and brings a focus on environmental planning, hazard mitigation and community resilience to her work for the firm’s urban design market. She earned her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Cottey College.

Kristina TeBockhorst – RDG, Water Resource Designer

Kristina is a water resource designer based out of RDG’s Iowa City, Iowa office. Her previous experience as an agricultural engineer and educator means she brings a unique blend of skills and knowledge to her role within the firm’s Parks Studio. Throughout her career, Kristina has gained experience tackling various engineering challenges, including water and soil management, grain storage, manure management and ventilation systems.

Gregory M. Pierce, PE, CPESC

Greg is a Water Resource Engineer with over 25 years of experience in Civil Engineering—planning, designing and providing bid assistance/construction administration for both public and private projects. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil Engineering) from University of Iowa, is licensed in six states and is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. He has served on the Iowa DNR’s Iowa Stormwater Management Manual Technical Committee since 2012.