The latest National Climate Assessment highlights the need for local, state, and federal governments to adopt policies to mitigate the effects of climate-driven flooding and sea level rise, according to a policy expert with the National Resources Defense Council.
“In less time than it takes to pay off a 30-year mortgage, U.S. coastlines will see 12-20 inches of sea level rise on average, with areas like the Western Gulf of Mexico facing up to 27 inches by 2050,” writes Rob Moore. To cope with the new reality, governments at all levels need to take two main courses of action.
First, they should move to curtail development in coastal areas and floodplains. They must also “make relocation assistance more timely, equitable, and easier to secure for people who need to move to higher ground.
“Today, states and local governments do not adopt building or zoning codes that take into account how sea-level rise or flooding will affect development in the future. Only about one-third of states and local governments have even adopted building codes that incorporate basic flood resilience features, according to FEMA.”
Related Stories
Resiliency | Oct 13, 2017
Resiliency takes center stage in new projects around the country
Projects like these, where resilience is central to their design and construction, are becoming more commonplace.
Resiliency | Sep 27, 2017
The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project will span 2.5 miles of Lower Manhattan
The project will safeguard the Lower East Side against severe weather and rising sea levels.
Codes and Standards | Sep 11, 2017
Natural solutions would be most effective flood resilience policies for Houston
New green infrastructure should be part of rebuild.
Mixed-Use | Aug 30, 2017
A 50-acre waterfront redevelopment gets under way in Tampa
Nine architects, three interior designers, and nine contractors are involved in this $3 billion project.
Resiliency | Jun 7, 2017
New disaster-resilient infrastructure building and upgrades hope to keep Haven Plaza up and running
The affordable housing complex was hit hard during Hurricane Sandy, leaving residents without electricity or water.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2017
Updated AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook released with significant enhancements
Updates provide guidance on how design and construction pros and emergency managers can work together to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2017
Planning for world’s first floating city underway
New approach to resiliency examined in French Polynesia.
Sustainability | Jan 24, 2017
From an industrial park to an eco-neighborhood in Brussels, Belgium
At the heart of Vincent Callebaut Architectures’ eco-neighborhood will be three 100-meter-tall Vertical Forests.
Resiliency | Nov 3, 2016
Future-proofing urban waterfronts
CallisonRTKL’s Nathan Cherry discusses hurricanes, the San Francisco waterfront, and how we can future-proof our urban waterfronts.