The Pacific Ocean has risen 4 to 8 inches along the Northern California coast over the last century, and is expected to continue to rise two to three feet more by the end of the century.
Bay Area communities are struggling for a strategy to cope. The California Coastal Commission has encouraged city governments to plan for the future by fortifying flood defenses, restoring wetlands, or making people move.
The latter prospect, in particular, is politically charged with valuable coastal properties comprising major investments for residents. The last resort of relocation has been chosen in Pacifica, where coastal bluffs have eroded so quickly that city officials have already demolished some properties before they fell into the water.
Fortification projects are moving forward. San Francisco voters approved a $425 million bond to start bolster a sea wall along the Embarcadero, the road along the bay. Builders of a new real estate development in a former industrial area called Mission Creek are raising old roads and warehouses by as much as 10 feet.
Communities face an overriding question: How much do you armor the coast, what areas do you save, and who will have to move?
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 25, 2019
Real estate professionals say coworking is not a flash in the pan
More than 60% say coworking space is in their portfolios.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2019
Utility’s proposal threatens California’s rooftop solar mandate
Would allow customers to use solar farms instead of installing their own PVs.
Codes and Standards | Nov 21, 2019
Number of LEED commercial building projects surpasses 100,000
More than 2.6 million sf of space being certified each day.
Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2019
Most U.S. voters support licensing standards for architects
NCARB survey shows strong support for architecture as a licensed profession.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2019
Cambridge, Mass., teams up with utility on energy retrofit program
Buildings large than 25,000 sf targeted in initiative to further carbon neutrality goal.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2019
Resistance to Toronto’s ‘smart city’ reveals pitfalls of such ambitious projects
Concerns over data privacy, governance, feasibility prompt criticism.
Codes and Standards | Nov 13, 2019
Heat pumps, strategic energy management could be next major focuses for efficiency
After lighting, efficiency experts look to new opportunities to boost energy efficiency.
Codes and Standards | Nov 12, 2019
National Infrastructure Performance Council to address ‘national security crisis’
Coalition wants to double annual level of infrastructure investment.
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019
Major cities are adopting new building performance standards
Initiatives can include multiple standards.
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019
U.S. hotel construction pipeline continues its year-over-year growth
In its eighth consecutive quarter of growth, projects currently under construction stand at 1,729 projects/235,278 rooms.