Babcock Ranch, in southwest Florida, could be a model for urban planners as climate change upends the US state and elsewhere.

Hurricane Ian churned past her home in southwest Florida last year, but Mary Frisbee paid little attention. She stayed relaxed and secure. Why? She lives in Babcock Ranch, a town near the US Gulf Coast that emphasizes sustainable homes that are built to withstand powerful hurricanes.

To avoid flooding caused by storms, Babcock Ranch is built some nine meters (30 feet) above sea level. Town planners also preserved wetlands in the area, which act as sponges for excess water. Local lakes are interconnected with the wetlands by a system of pumps that prevent overflows. And if they do occur, water floods the streets, roads and ponds, not the houses. The community’s first major test came in September 2022 with Hurricane Ian and it was a success. No resident suffered major damage, there were no power outages, and only a few trees fell.

Babcock Ranch seems lifted from a postcard. Homes with perfect lawns overlook lakes. Bike paths and forest roads wend through the community. In the parks, kids ride bikes or climb on swings, supervised by parents or grandparents.

Syd Kitson

The town, which opened in 2018, has 7,200 residents, but continues to expand with new neighborhoods. Eventually it is expected to have a population of about 50,000. Syd Kitson, the developer and a retired professional US soccer player, believes in adapting cities to new demands and proved it by envisioning Babcock Ranch as a place with housing, stores and schools that would attract young families and retirees choosing to make their home in the Florida sun.

On the outskirts, 680,000 solar panels make the city the first in the United States to run entirely on solar. Power lines are buried underground to protect them from wind and prevent outages during storms. On paper, everything looked good. But then on September 28, 2022, Ian came roaring through.

Bouncing Back from Hurricanes

“We hadn’t been tested yet, so you never know. At the time, there were about 5,000 people living here,” Kitson said. The community passed the test with flying colors, proving that Babcock Ranch’s innovative approach could set an example for urban planners faced with climate change. Read More »