Aquatecture-Flipbook

Buildings and cities designed to live and work with water

16

17

Water as a threat

While water is a life-giver, it is also the largest Environmental changes such as deforestation,
cause of deaths from natural disasters in the artificial river controls, loss of wetlands and
world.36 Although there are other threats release of greenhouse gases increasing global
from water, such as erosion, hail, ice and fog, temperatures can all impact upon weather
flooding is the most universal, visible and patterns and therefore flooding. In addition,
damaging. global warming is likely to lead to long-term
climatic changes that could result in rising sea
Flooding is a result of the natural weather levels and variability in extreme weather.
cycle. Annual flooding may bring benefits
to some areas through siltation and nutrient Floods are typically caused by extreme
and water replenishment. Until recently, in weather events, such as rainstorms, hurricanes/
developed countries flood defences and cyclones and tsunamis, or variations such as
planning have managed to reduce flood rapid snow melt. They can also be caused by
risk from more frequent storm events and the failure of man-made retaining structures
it has been only the extreme events that such as dams or embankments.
cause flooding. While flooding has been
present throughout human history, natural Catastrophic flooding is well documented in
disasters appear to be occurring with greater history: the story of Noah’s Ark in the Bible,37
frequency and intensity around the globe. The or St Elizabeth’s flood of 1421, which left areas
increasing scale and impact of flooding can of the Netherlands flooded for decades.38
be attributed to two factors: urbanisation and More recent events that have made the
environmental change. headlines include Hurricane Katrina in 2005
(Figure 1.22); flooding across the UK in 2007
Urbanisation, discussed in more detail below, and 2014; flooding along the Indus in Pakistan
may result in more people being located in in 2010 and again in 2011; the 2011 Japanese
high flood-risk areas, particularly through Tsunami, which also affected the Fukushima
unplanned development, but it may also nuclear plant; and Hurricane Sandy in New
increase the risk of flooding by reducing the York in 2012. In the last 20 years, the 10 worst
natural capacity of the ground to absorb water. international floods alone claimed over

18

21

500,000 lives, affected over 1 billion people flood risk on the one hand and shortages of
and resulted in damages in excess of $165 water and heatwaves on the other. We need to
billion (estimated $40 billion damages from the recognise the threats from climate change and
Thailand floods of 2011 alone, Figure 1.23).39 the need to respond and adapt.

Many people live in areas of high flood risk, With a better understanding of the nature of
such as river systems, deltas and coasts, drawn flood risk, we can better design our cities and
there by fertile land and waterway transport buildings to manage and reduce the risk to
links. As settlements expand, surrounding people and property.
watersheds are developed. Since 1900 half
of the world’s wetlands, which can act as 22
natural storm buffers, have been lost.40 As a
consequence of settlements developing in 23
river basins, populations are exposed to flood
risk and, as settlements expand, stress on 1.21 Chart indicating natural disasters per year
water resources increases. “Over 1.4 billion 1.22 Flooding from failed levees after Hurricane
people currently live in river basins where
the use of water exceeds minimum recharge Katrina, New Orleans, USA (2005)
levels, leading to the desiccation of rivers and 1.23 Flooding in Bangkok, Thailand (2011)
depletion of groundwater.”41

A fundamental shift in our approach to new
and existing settlements is needed as climate
change influences the natural water cycle
and impacts cities around the world. Coastal
communities are increasingly at threat from
rising sea levels, while inland towns and homes
are under threat from intense rainstorms.
Communities face worse and more frequent

19

Changing weather patterns

Global warming will increase the amount of • Increased peak rainfall, leading to increased • Change in rainfall patterns, leading to
water held in the atmosphere. This can lead runoff rates and risk of flash flooding. redistribution of water and shortages.
to increased and more intense rainfall and a
decrease in snowfall. While this may suggest • Increased river flows, leading to greater Extreme weather
that the amount of fresh water could increase, water volumes and flood extents. Today’s extreme weather events could start to
intense precipitation can result in rapid runoff, become the norm, and tomorrow’s extreme
overwhelming our ability to store the water • Sea level rise, leading to higher events could be far more extreme. Rising sea
before it flows back into the sea.48 flood levels and pressure on coastal levels will put low-lying coastal communities at
communities. greater threat from storms; intense rainstorms
The probable impacts of climate change with could overwhelm our drains and sewers more
regards to water are likely to be: • Increased storminess, leading to higher regularly; heatwaves and drought could put
waves and more frequent storms. undue stress on buildings and landscapes, and
leave occupiers short of water.
• Hotter summers, leading to drought, rising
temperatures and heatwaves.

Sea level rise
A report by the IPCC in 2013 indicated that
mean sea level would rise between 0.52m and
0.98m by 2100, due to melting ice sheets, and
that it is “virtually certain that global mean sea
rise will continue beyond 2100”.49 As the ice
continues to melt, the sea levels will continue
to rise. If all the ice melts then the sea level
is projected to rise 70–80m higher than it
is today.

1.26 Future climate projections, showing
possible change in precipitation (10th, 50th
and 90th percentiles left to right). UKCP50

26 1.27 The melting of the Larsen ice shelf (2009)

22

Impacts on water supply Although climate change is a natural and
While the total amount of water in the world cyclical process, it is believed that man has
will not be affected, the distribution of fresh accelerated the process.53 To determine the
water could change radically. The water future climate, the future level of emissions
currently stored within glaciers that provide a needs to be estimated. Future emissions
regular supply of fresh water could be rapidly estimates are based upon “complex
released before reducing to nothing as the dynamic systems, determined by factors
glaciers melt. Drier regions are expected to such as population change, socio-economic
see a reduction in rainfall, resulting in more development, and technological advances”.54
droughts, while wetter regions are anticipated
to become even wetter and suffer more floods. In the UK these have been based upon three
emissions scenarios (based upon estimated
The future is likely to present an intensification fossil fuel use) in combination with four
of the water cycle. “The IPCC technical report economic scenarios (based upon growth rates).
on climate change and water concludes that, For example, the CAN project used the ‘A1B’
despite global increases in rainfall, many dry scenario for the 2080 projections, described
regions including the Mediterranean and as “strong economic growth and convergent
southern Africa will suffer badly from reduced societies and economies are accompanied by
rainfall and increased evaporation. As a result, a balanced approach to energy generation
the IPCC special report on climate change featuring fossil fuels and renewable energy
adaptation estimates that around one billion technologies”.55 In any scenario it is likely that
people in dry regions may face increasing existing settlements will need to be modified
water scarcity.”51 to cope with the future climate and that new
development should be designed to enable
Adaptation adaptation.
According to the latest climate research,52
there is a lag in the climate system that means
we are currently experiencing the effects of
past emissions and that the effects of current
emissions are yet to manifest. Therefore, even
if global emissions were capped now, the
effects of climate change would continue to be
felt for many years to come.

23

FLOOD RISK FLOOD RISK

LOW MED HIGH LOW MED HIGH

TRADITIONAL SCHOOL LAND RAISING
Land is raised to create high ground, without
A building with no specific flood-proofing measures. adversely affecting flood management. Design
This may only be considered appropriate in low should compensate for loss of flood storage. This
flood-risk areas, dependent on conditions. is not normally appropriate for areas that can be
affected by river flooding.
DRY PROOF – WATER EXCLUSION STRATEGY
SCHOOL OR CIVIC BUILDING
A dry-proof (or flood-resistant) building, is designed A school or other civic building with an important
to prevent water entering the building using role in the local community that may be as a refuge
waterproof materials and construction. It is normally point or safe haven.
used to improve protection to existing buildings and
typically limited to areas with low flood depths. COMMERCIAL USE
Less vulnerable commercial uses such as industry
WETPROOF – WATER ENTRY STRATEGY or offices. These may be considered in medium- to
high-risk flood areas, dependent on the conditions.
A wet-proof (or flood resilient) building allows
water into the building to avoid structural damage MIXED USE MIXED USE
but is constructed so that the impact of flooding Employment located at ground floor with residential
is minimised, and the time to clean-up and use is located above. Less vulnerable uses at ground floor
minimised. maybe appropriate in higher flood-risk areas.

ELEVATED CITY
A large conurbation such as a town or a city, with
An elevated building is one in which the floor levels multiple dwellings and other uses. Flood risk must
are raised above the predicted flood level. This is be considered for any town or city.
typically done using structural columns or posts.
Typically the undercroft should not be used or Use is appropriate
occupied as this would reduce flood storage. Further investigation work required
Use is not appropriate
AMPHIBIOUS

An amphibious building is a floating building that
is designed to rest on fixed foundations for the
most part. However, during an extreme flood it rises
between guideposts, buoyed by the floodwater. It
can cope with large flood level variations.

FLOATING

A floating home is a building that rests on a buoyant
base or foundation, designed to rise and fall with the
level of the water. It can cope with large flood level
variations.

100

FLOOD RISK FLOOD RISK

LOW MED HIGH LOW MED HIGH

CAR CLUB CYCLING
Cycle accessway. Typically may be located in all
An alternative to private car ownership on a flood-risk areas, however warning notices may be
pay‑as‑you-go self service hire. A typical car club required in tidal or flash flooding areas.
has 20 members per vehicle and are located at
convenient locations within a neighbourhood. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Ideally not located in high flood-risk areas. Public transport route such as a metro-bus or
shuttle-bus. Ideally routes should be located in lower
RAILWAY, METRO OR COACH STATION flood-risk areas.

Railway or metro station providing access to a mass WATER BUS
public transport system. Continued use is essential Water based public transport system on a navigable
during and after a flood. waterway.

REFUGE POINT/SAFE HAVEN/INFORMATION TRAIN
POINT Light rail transport or tram system. Ideally routes
should be located in lower flood-risk areas.
Easily identifiable civic space or building that can act
as an information point, safe haven or refuge centre CAR
during a flood. Must be protected from flooding or Private automobile transport, including taxis. May
located above maximum flood level. be located in most flood-risk areas, however warning
notices may be required in tidal or flash flooding
EMERGENCY SERVICES areas.

Fire, ambulance and police stations are required to Use is appropriate
operate during emergency events such as flooding Further investigation work required
and hurricanes. Ideally not located in areas at risk of Use is not appropriate
flooding.
101
WATER TRANSPORT

Private water transport used on a navigable
waterway, including water taxis.

PEDESTRIAN

Pedestrian accessway. Typically may be located in
all flood-risk areas, however warning notices may be
required in tidal or flash flooding areas.

The scale of hydroscapes

1234

Regional City Neighbourhood Building
Wetland and forest recreation, Parks, wetlands, floodways and Play areas, sports fields, car parks, Green roofs, rain gardens, swales,
dams and reservoirs, aquifer blue/green infrastructure retain gardens and allotments help rainwater harvesting and cellular
restoration and flood channels rainfall away from property, reducing absorb water. When integrated storage can all attenuate rainfall,
all help to slow and absorb storm temperatures. Policy or building within development these provide help provide cooling and store
water, store fresh water and divert codes can promote absorbent localised cooling and habitat and water for use in times of drought.
water away from towns and cities. landscapes to reduce runoff. environmental enhancements.

134

Regional

City

Neighbourhood

Building

4.1 Venice Lagoon, Italy – section indicating 4.4 Dominion Middle School rain garden, Ohio,
regional hydroscape features USA – section indicating building hydroscape
features
4.2 Qunli storm water park, China – section
indicating city hydroscape features

4.3 Public square and attenuation basin,
Rotterdam, the Netherlands – section
indicating neighbourhood hydroscape features

135

Rain gardens Green and brown roofs Permeable paving

Shallow, planted depressions absorb rainwater Green and brown roofs retain water in Permeable surfaces allow rainwater to drain
from surrounding surfaces, storing storm water an artificial growing medium. They aid through at controlled rates before being
until it soaks into the ground and supporting evapotranspiration, create habitat, and slow released into recycling systems, sewers or
wetland flora. and filter runoff. watercourses.
4.32 Marshalls Grassguard, paving system, UK
4.30 Maryland Rain Garden, USA 4.31 Forest Mews, UK

156

Pools and ponds Rills, moats and swales Rainwater harvesting

Both wet and dry ponds help to control flow Gullies and channels divert water into ponds Runoff water from roofs and pavements is
rates by storing water, while also treating and infiltration basins to discharge water slowly collected in storage vessels (typically below
runoff through settlement, absorption and back into the ground. Planting can be used to ground) and used for flushing WCs and
biological activity. filter runoff. irrigation, or filtered for cleaning. Historically,
4.33 Water temple, Japan water tanks were located above roofs.
4.34 Rills, Beek, the Netherlands
4.35 Rooftop water tank, London, UK

157

Wet-proof [resilient] buildings

Description > Unlike other measures to keep waterlogged. The pressure of the water inside of about 0.6m or more.”6 Although different
water out of the building, wet-proofing works the building balances the pressure of the water forms of construction will perform differently,
by reducing damage from water that enters outside, allowing it to withstand greater flood there is always likely to be a situation where
depths than a dry-proof building. structural damage could be caused. In
the building. It involves designing the these situations wet-proofing may provide a
building to cope with and recover quickly Construction > Wet-proofing requires viable solution to avoid the risk of collapse.
from flooding. Wet-proofing seeks to improvements to the fabric of the building, Wet‑proofing is more appropriate for reducing
preserve the structural integrity of the finishes and the services (Figure 6.13). risk to existing buildings but it may also be
the building by preventing the Solid wall and floor construction can help the preferred solution for buildings that are
build-up of water pressure to prevent moisture being trapped within best located at ground level, such as shops or
and using building cavities. Impervious polyurethane may be warehouses.
materials that can used in cavities or insulation fitted to either
survive being the inside or outside of the wall. Partitions may Other potential benefits > Wet-proofing
be fitted with plasterboard horizontally, to may be applied to existing properties. It can
allow easy replacement should lower levels be be used in conjunction with dry-proofing
damaged or formed from lime rendered solid measures, to keep water out during shallow
construction. Waterproof magnesium oxide flooding. Internal level changes could be
board can be used for cupboards. Drains should used to locate vulnerable fittings, such as
have non-return valves fitted to prevent sewage kitchen appliances, above flood levels and
coming up through the drains. Electrics should provide a refuge for people and possessions.
be fitted above flood level, with supply wires Wet‑proofing could provide protection to
distributed from the floor above. Ventilation ground level entrance lobbies of flats that
systems can be used to improve drying times. are elevated above. When combined, these
Detailed guidance varies in different countries, measures can make a significant difference to
according to local building codes. the building’s robustness, providing the ability
to withstand and recover quickly from a flood,
Appropriateness > UK guidance states that: facilitating continuity of daily life and business.
“Standard masonry buildings are at significant
risk of structural damage if there is a water 6.12 Flood-resilient property for Defra
level difference between outside and inside
6.13 Transect through a wet-proof building

206

b a
c
d

1 IN A 100-YEAR FLOOD LEVEL

6.13a Waterproof
boarding used for
partitions

6.13b Electrics and

ab appliances raised
above flood level

6.13c Non-return valves
fitted to foul
drains

6.13d Floor drains to Appropriate for flood depths in excess of 0.6m.
Can be used to protect existing buildings.
allow quick

cd recovery after a 13
flood

207

The floating village in the Royal Docks

A floating village is planned for London’s play areas and commercial areas. The services
Royal Docks, which is conceived as a ‘Crown’ are provided from the dock edge along the
in the docks.7 Built within the waterspace but two floating causeways and through the
set away from the dock edge, the Crown is a floating surface.
coherent development. It is also extendable A small boat hire operation would run from
to form a necklace of floating settlements the Corniche dock edge or from the floating
throughout the dock. Like a village, it is causeway; rowing boats or pedalos could be
semi‑autonomous, complete with all of hired for visitors to make the short journey to
the facilities one would expect but, in this the floating village, arriving in the village blue
case, all floating. It is surrounded by water by boat.
and organised around a village blue, just
as a village settlement is an island within 6.18 The floating village as seen from the air
the countryside and surrounds a green. It is 6.19 The village is set around a multifunctional
planned along a water boulevard and water
lanes, rather than roads. village blue complete with a floating pub

The village is accessed by foot or bicycle via 18
two floating causeways; but for the ultimate
tourist appeal and visiting dignitaries it is
best approached by water, particularly in
the summer. Vehicular access is restricted to
emergency services, recycling and deliveries.

The buildings, roads, paths and public space
are all constructed on a floating platform
formed from a series of modular concrete
pontoons. This system allows the development
to be expanded along the waterspace and
interspersed with local facilities such as parks,

212

213

Setting the scene 10.1 The National ‘Room for the River’ projects
10.2 Some of the measures to increase capacity
10.3 Flooding in Lent 1995

In 1993, heavy rainfall led to flooding in Friend or Foe?). The Dutch Government The ‘Room for the River’ project involves
Limburg in the south-east of The Netherlands.1 identified that the discharge capacity of a range of measures to increase capacity,
In 1995, water levels in the Dutch river and the river system needed to be increased to including: relocating dykes; lowering
dyke system rose to such alarming levels that cope with heavier discharges than previously floodplains; enlarging the river channel;
a quarter of a million people were evacuated anticipated in response to climate change. removing obstacles to flow, such as groynes
from their homes (Figure 10.3).2 This close This required a national and regional scale or bridge supports; and flood-relief channels
call led to a shift in approach, from holding approach, in particular to the Maas/Rhine (Figure 10.2). Although these approaches
out water through defensive means to river deltas – IJssel, Waal and Nederrijn. It require a high level of engineering, one of the
acknowledging space for water was needed; also involved a total of 17 partners, including overarching objectives was also to improve the
thus the ‘Room for the River’ project was born Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch department for environmental quality of the river system.
(Figure 10.1 and also Chapter 1 > Water: Public Works and Water Management.3
One of the key projects is located on the
ketelmeer rUimte voor de rivier River Waal between Nijmegen and Lent
Kampen ijsseldelta (Figure 10.4). Nijmegen is located on a
pinchpoint in the river, approximately 17km
dijkverlegging downstream of Germany.
westenholte
Rijkswaterstaat identified that the water
markermeer discharge (river flow) on the Rhine could
increase from 16,000m3/s to 18,000m3/s with
Lelystad Zwolle climate change.4 This would increase water
levels by 0.3m along significant parts of the
Uiterwaardvergraving river system, enough to put pressure on many
sCheller en oldeneler of the existing dykes.
buitenwaarden

iJsselHoogwatergeUl
Noord Veessen-wapenVeld

Haarlem Almere

Amsterdam Uiterwaardvergraving Uiterwaardvergraving
bolwerKsplas, worp en Keizers-, stobben- en
ossenwaard olsterwaarden

dijkverbetering Deventer
leK / betuwe / tieler-
en CulemborGerwaard
Uiterwaardvergraving
Hilversum de tollewaard Apeldoorn dijkverlegging
VoorsterKlei
Amersfoort
Leiden Uiterwaardvergraving obstakelverwijdering Uiterwaardvergraving
bossenwaard, pontwaard maChinistensChool elst doorwerthsChe waarden
en heerenwaard Zutphen
dijkverlegging
Uiterwaardvergraving CortenoeVer
middelwaard
Uiterwaard-
vergraving
dijkverbetering Utrecht dijkverbetering meinerswijK dijkverbetering
leK / alblasserwaard nederrijn / nederrijn / arnhemse-
Den Haag en VijFheerenlanden GeldersChe en VelpsebroeK

Vallei dijkverlegging

dijkverbetering Velp hondsbroeKsChe pleij
leK / lopiKer- en
Nieuwe waterweg Krimpenerwaard NederriJN Uiterwaardvergraving
dijkverbetering
oude maas / Voorne putten Rotterdam lek Culemborg Arnhem kaPNaaNaNlerdeNsch huissensChe waarden
Nijmegen Uiterwaardvergraving
Nieuwe maas Uiterwaardvergraving Tiel millinGerwaard
aVelinGen Uiterwaardvergraving waal
munniKenland
ontpoldering kribverlaging BoveN-riJN
oude maas noordwaard kribverlaging midden-waal
beneden-waal
merwede
obstakelverwijdering
hariNgvliet sPui Dordrecht dijkterUglegging suiKerdam / Gendtse waard
lent kribverlaging
dordtsche dijkverbetering kribverlaging waalboChten
dijkverbetering kil steurGat / waal Fort st. andries
oude maas / hoeKsChe waard land Van altena
mNeireuwewdee
stgeautr- Bergsche maas

hollaNdsch amer ’s-Hertogenbosch dijkverbetering
dieP nederrijn / betuwe /
tieler- en CulemborGerwaard
krammer/ kadeverlaging
volkerak zuiderKlip rivierverrUiming
oVerdiepse polder
kadeverlaging
waterberging biesbosCh
VolKeraK-zoommeer
dijkverbetering dijkverbetering
amer / donGe berGsChe maas /
land Van altena

Zoommeer

Bergen op Zoom

Eindhoven

1

264

Relocating dykes
Lowering floodplains
Enlarging river channel

Lowering groynes

Removing obstacles

Flood-relief channels 2

265

The cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem are Lent Lent
growing in population.5 They face pressures to
provide new housing and development whilst 1 Waalbrug de Oversteek Waalbrug
dealing with increased flood risk.
de Oversteek Nijmegen 2 Nijmegen
To meet the housing demand, the local
municipalities identified the land in the 3 4 5
low‑lying polder between the cities for
new houses. This area, like much of the Lent Lent
Netherlands, is protected from flooding by
dykes, some dating back to the 16th century. Waalbrug de Oversteek
The solution, shown in Figures 10.4 to 10.7,
was to reduce the pinchpoint by realigning Nijmegen 4 Waalbrug
and strengthening the dyke system, creating a
flood-relief channel and redeveloping Lent. 6 Nijmegen

To cope with the increased water discharge, 7
the government agreed a €350 million plus
plan to relocate part of the 500-year-old dyke, 10.4 The existing dyke line in Lent
which runs through the village of Lent, on the 10.5 The new dyke line and road system
northern bank of the river, and to create a 3km 10.6 The flood-relief channel
flood-relief channel.6 10.7 The landscaped Eiland Veur Lent
10.8 Aerial view of Lent and the River Waal
This project, due for completion in 2016,
required the compulsory purchase of over
50 homes to make way for the flood channel
and construction works in a form of managed
realignment (see Chapter 4 > Hydroscapes for
more details of this type of approach).

266

267

Integrated design solution

The new dyke will provide protection to the As part of a competitive commission, Baca 10.9 Baca’s proposed masterplan for the Eiland
existing inhabitants and the new city-scale architects developed a plan to transform Veur Lent 2011 (main image)
development planned behind the dyke the peninsula/island into an eco-leisure
(Figure 10.9). destination. Known as the ‘Eiland Veur Lent’8 10.10 The peak river flows prior to the relief
(Island of Lent), the site will form a retreat channel
The flood-relief channel is permanently from both the water and the hubbub of the
connected to the river downstream; it only adjacent city.9 With only one bridge to connect 10.11 +6.0m NAP water level (summer low)
connects with the river upstream of the city it to the mainland, the island/peninsula will
of Nijmegen when the water level reaches become a semi-self-sufficient dynamic river 10.12 +8.5m NAP water level
10.5 m NAP (NAP is a national datum level in park. New development on the peninsula
the Netherlands) and overtops a lower-level include a landmark zero-carbon tower to the 10.13 +10.5m NAP water level (winter high)
‘breach’ dyke.7 This enables the flood-relief east, overlooking the water. A series of 100
channel to reduce the flows of the Waal only luxury flood-resilient homes and holiday lets 10.14 +12.0m NAP flood level
when required during the annual winter peaks cascade down to the water. The west of the
or extreme events (Figure 10.8). island is reserved for recreation, nature and 10.15 +14.0m NAP peak flood level
seasonal flooding.
The land between the river and the flood-
relief channel will change from a peninsula in The proposal, illustrated in Figure 10.9, unites
the summer, when the breach dyke provides local history with new ideas and innovation.
a connection back to the mainland, and to The line of the old dyke forms the arterial spine
an island in the winter when the water level around which new housing is organised. A
rises 5m and the river and relief channel green bridge, spanning the new flood-relief
are connected (Figures 10.10 to 10.15). This channel, is located in place of a section of
seasonal water level variation creates a the old dyke, ‘remembering’ the former line
dynamic exchange between land and water, of defence. The lost Fort Knodsenburg is
which is celebrated and enhanced through a raised to form a public square and outdoor
landscape that touches and engages with the pursuits centre, covered with a living roof and
water’s edge. translucent canopy of solar PVs. A water arena

268

LENT

FLOOD RELIEF CHANNEL
EILAND VEUR LENT
RIVER WAAL

10 11 12 13 14 15
NIJMEGEN

269

Lessons learned

This project has the potential to disconnect the The cost of creating new service connections revetments to form the edge of the relief
houses remaining on the peninsula from their back to the mainland was found to be channel, a mixture of hard and soft landscaping
existing community. Instead, through sensitive comparable to the cost of creating on-site is used to create an opportunity for habitat.
development and place-making, new and old renewable power. In remote situations This, through its steeped form, also informs
should complement one another and enhance self‑sufficient development may therefore be a of changing water levels. By transforming the
this unique riverine location. The existing cost-effective solution. previous pastoral function of the peninsula
residents will occupy part of an exclusive island to parkland and wetlands, the range of river
location while the residents to the north of The water leisure activities on the new channel habitat and biodiversity should be increased,
the channel will become part of an expanded add day-to-day functions to the important, but all within close reach of the city.
Lent village with a whole new waterfront otherwise singular, function of managing flood
overlooking the marina (Figure 10.21). risk. Instead of using sheet piling and concrete The whole project was carried out as a joint
venture between the local municipality and a
fort development company. This model was used
so that new development, both on the island
folly citadel station and behind the dyke, could help to reduce
the cost to taxpayers of the entire flood‑relief
campsite amphitheatre hotel scheme. Although this project involved
ferry national funding, it shows that development
marina or other economic activity can contribute to
pub the cost of managing flood risk to provide a
‘win-win’ solution. Figures 10.22 to 10.24 show
natural beach the construction of the flood-relief channel and
bridges under way.

cathedral castle

22

276

10.22 The Eiland Veur Lent and wider context
10.23 Aerial view during construction (2015)
10.24 Aerial view with the city in the background

(2015)
10.25 Aerial view of the relief channel (2015)

23

24 25

277

Shanghai, future city

Figure 9.18 illustrates a future mega-city once QINGPU CHENGQIAO
sea levels have risen by several metres. The JINSHAN SHANGHAI
city is formed from a series of satellite towns
with the existing Shanghai in the centre. A new SONGJIANG
floating airport and deep-water port is built
at the mouth of the Yangtze, close to Pudong
International Airport. In the foreground a new
floating facility located within Hangzhou Bay
creates an international leisure destination
linking Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou. This
enables coastal areas to be transformed into
interstitial wetlands, artificial corals and oyster
beds without interrupting navigation.

A series of blue/green waterways run between
the satellites, straddled by road and rail
networks to provide a hierarchical network of
transport interchanges. Between the satellites,
high-risk areas are used for industry, with the
waterways providing economic routes for
heavy goods transportation to the rest of
the city and the deep-water ports. Offshore
floating solar farms (designed to move with the
waves) are linked to high-altitude wind turbines
and energy-producing tidal barrages; together
they form a distributed and interconnected
renewable energy system. The city is planned
to enable sustainable growth with cycles of
development linked to climate change.

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HENGSHAQIANTAN
NANQIAO

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