Join us as we explore the City of Norfolk’s coastal resilience journey with this episode of the Urban Exchange Podcast, supported by Sand Technologies, where hosts Paul Wilson and Nate Echeverria are joined by two leading voices from the City of Norfolk, – Kyle Spencer, Chief Resilience Officer, and Dr. Paul Robinson, Executive Director of RISE Resilience Innovations. Together, they unpack the unique challenges and groundbreaking solutions that are shaping Norfolk’s response to rising sea levels, recurrent flooding, and the evolving demands of urban coastal living.
Listeners will discover how Norfolk, a city defined by its rich maritime history and extensive coastline, is pioneering holistic approaches to flood management and community resilience. The conversation explores the city’s journey from securing transformative federal grants to implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, blending traditional “grey” solutions with innovative “green” infrastructure and nature-based strategies.
Hear how partnerships with organisations like RISE are driving adaptation through real-time data, digital tools, and even 3D-printed oyster reefs that harness the power of nature to protect the shoreline. The episode also delves into the complexities of flood insurance, the importance of making coverage accessible and affordable, and the creative challenges that have led to new models and technologies for risk reduction.
Beyond the technical solutions, the discussion highlights the critical role of community engagement, knowledge sharing, and regional collaboration – showing how Norfolk’s experiences are informing resilience efforts in cities across the US and beyond.
Whether you’re an urban practitioner, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of coastal cities, this episode offers inspiration and practical insights – while leaving plenty of stories and lessons for you to discover by listening in.
Find out more about our partners, Sand Technologies, here.
The Speakers
Kyle Spencer
Chief Resilience Officer
City of Norfolk
Dr. Paul Robinson
Executive Director
Rise Resilience Solutions
Paul Wilson
Advisory Board Chair
SmartCitiesWorld
Nate Echeverria
North America Engagement Lead
Resilient Cities Network
About Kyle Spencer
Kyle Spencer is the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Norfolk and spent the previous four years as the Deputy Resilience Officer. For the last 15 years, he has been working to make Norfolk a more resilient city as a consultant and a technology leader before working in the Resilience Office. Kyle’s primary focus is implementing the City’s Resilience Strategy by managing complex water management, environmental, urban planning, and smart cities projects. While with the City, Kyle has been collaborating with regional partners on resilience innovations to support research projects with universities and developing business solutions in the resilience sector by turning Norfolk into a coastal community laboratory. Kyle is a certified GIS Professional, and Certified Floodplain Manager.
About Dr. Paul Robinson
Dr. Paul Robinson is dedicated to expediting the development of innovative technologies in the resilience sector. Funded at $10M, RISE grows resilience-related businesses in the coastal Virginia region and assists in access to the worldwide market for their technologies.
Dr. Robinson is the founder and CEO of AeroTech Research, a company specializing in weather hazard detection for aircraft. He is also Senior Advisor to Focus Investment Bank in the areas of government, aerospace and defense. He is also a member of a local angel investment groups 757 Angels and Abundance 360, and works with several startups in technical and managerial roles.
About Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson is the Chair of the SmartCitiesWorld Advisory Board, and Chief Business Officer for the Connected Places Catapult. Paul has more than 25 years’ international leadership, sales and marketing experience in the B2B Technology Media Telecom sector, including being CMO of global digital transformation association TM Forum and $3bn SunGard Financial Systems.
After running the West of England LEP, Paul set up the multi-award-winning Bristol Is Open smart city project in 2014 and created the widely endorsed City as a Platform Manifesto a couple of years later. He went on to advise the UK Government on the design of its 5G Testbeds & Trials programme, and more recently on how the programme should evolve. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab.
About Nate Echeverria
Nathaniel Echeverria, AICP is the Resilience Finance Lead and North America Engagement Lead with Resilient Cities Network. Prior to Resilient Cities Network, he has worked in economic development and place-based management in California, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
