It will cost at least $3.8 billion over the next 40 years to keep the City of Miami dry from rising seas, according to a draft of the city’s newly released stormwater master plan.
That sum, about four times the city’s annual budget, would buy the city new mega stormwater pumps, miles of 6-foot-tall sea walls, thousands of injection wells, and a network of eight-foot diameter underground pipes. These measures, though, are not likely to keep all neighborhoods dry.
Miami faces rising ocean levels due to the effects of global climate change. Even the best engineering options now being considered cannot fully mitigate this phenomenon, though city officials say the expense will be beneficial and keep Miami livable largely as is through 2060.
The report also alludes to a future decades later that includes floating cities and converting roads to canals.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 30, 2021
U.S. has a deficit of 5 million homes
Builders unable to keep pace with demand.
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2021
Mass Timber group study will compare structural round timber to glulam products and steel
Will compare costs, capabilities, and carbon impacts of structural materials.
Codes and Standards | Sep 28, 2021
Massachusetts creates Commission on Clean Heat
First-of-its kind body to set targets for buildings to reduce emissions from heating fuels.
Codes and Standards | Sep 27, 2021
Commercial real estate industry faces SEC climate disclosure regulations
Risks associated with climate change would have to be revealed.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Group proposes Carbon Use Intensity metric for new buildings
Plan would track embedded carbon on projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Illinois’s sweeping climate bill includes statewide stretch code, building electrification measures
Aims for zero-emissions power sector by 2045.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Cities need to step up flood mitigation efforts to save lives
Recent storms highlight climate change dangers.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2021
Steps to improve ventilation for Covid can combat colds and flu
New look at airborne disease spread shows time viruses linger in air may have been underestimated.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2021
USGBC will change leaders, conduct strategic review
Aims to ensure organization is ‘well positioned to scale its work in the post-pandemic world’.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2021
LEED-certified offices earn higher rents than non-sustainable properties
Are also more resilient to dips in real estate market.