cities
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Urban planning may worsen flood risks in cities
A study from UC Irvine suggests that urban street layouts and building density may be exacerbating flood severity in areas already vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change.
In short:
- Researchers found that "urban form"—the density and layout of buildings and streets—can intensify flood risks in cities.
- A new formula was developed to help urban planners assess how changes in land use could impact flood hazards.
- The study highlights the vulnerability of densely populated areas, where residents often have limited protection or escape options.
Key quote:
“Detailed modeling worldwide is presently impossible for many cities because of inadequate data, so our team was motivated to develop a new way of looking at flood risk based on the form of the built urban environment.”
— Sarah Balaian, UC Irvine doctoral candidate in civil and environmental engineering
Why this matters:
As cities grow and climate change worsens, understanding how urban design impacts flooding is critical for protecting vulnerable populations and reducing potential disaster impacts.
Related:
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Nearby rural land may significantly reduce urban temperatures
A recent study finds that rural areas around cities can lower urban temperatures by nearly 33 degrees Fahrenheit, suggesting a new approach to combating urban heat.
In short:
- Researchers studied data from 30 Chinese cities and found that rural land within a six- to nine-mile radius can reduce urban heat island intensity by about 30%.
- Urban heat islands occur when cities are warmer than their surroundings due to air warming, creating low-pressure zones that pull cooler air from nearby rural areas.
- The study suggests cooling strategies, such as planting woodlands and consolidating water bodies in rural areas, to boost urban cooling.
Why this matters:
Urban heat islands contribute to higher energy costs and health risks. By optimizing rural land use, cities can become cooler and more sustainable, benefiting both urban and rural communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Urban heat islands in the Great Lakes are endangering public health
Heat islands created by buildings and paved surfaces are raising temperatures and health risks in cities like Toronto and Windsor.
In short:
- Urban heat islands in Great Lakes cities absorb and re-emit heat, increasing temperatures and health risks.
- Vulnerable populations, including low-income and racialized communities, are disproportionately affected.
- Long-term heat mitigation efforts exist, but short-term heat management strategies are insufficient.
Key quote:
“Without a doubt, I think every emergency department across the country during the heat spells, especially when the heat gets above 88 to 90 degrees, experiences an influx of people, especially in the heat islands.”
— Dr. Patrick McHugh, emergency room physician, Cleveland Clinic
Why this matters:
Increasing urban heat poses significant health risks, especially to vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing health inequalities. For residents, especially the elderly and those with preexisting health conditions, the effects can be severe. Elevated temperatures contribute to heat-related illnesses, increase air pollution levels, and strain energy resources as people rely more heavily on air conditioning. This creates a vicious cycle, as increased energy use further amplifies urban heat and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Rising sea levels and sinking lands: a looming challenge for US coastal cities
In a recent study, Virginia Tech researchers uncover that sinking land, coupled with rising sea levels, threatens to flood 24 U.S. coastal cities by 2050, impacting half a million residents.
In short:
- A new study by Virginia Tech researchers, published in Nature, reveals that land subsidence exacerbates flooding risks in 24 U.S. coastal cities.
- By 2050, this phenomenon could affect 500,000 people and one in every 35 properties, with communities of color disproportionately impacted.
- Adaptation strategies include building protective structures and preserving natural barriers, but recognizing the problem is the first step.
Key quote:
"It’s really a wake-up call to think about how we’re going to live with this changing interface between the land and the sea."
— Robert Nicholls, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Why this matters:
In coastal cities, the combination of rising sea levels and sinking land presents a dual challenge. It not only increases the risk of temporary flooding due to storm surges but also leads to permanent inundation of land that was previously above sea level. Displacement due to subsidence and flooding can disrupt social networks and lead to a loss of cultural heritage sites. The stress and uncertainty associated with living in at-risk areas can have lasting effects on mental health and community cohesion.
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New perspectives on water-based urban living from a Dutch innovator
Exploring the potential of floating cities, Koen Olthuis presents a novel approach to urban design that could redefine our relationship with water.
In short:
- Dutch architect Koen Olthuis envisions cities with floating buildings as a solution to urban expansion and climate change, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional land-based development.
- Olthuis's firm, Waterstudio, has designed various floating structures, from luxury homes in the Netherlands to innovative projects worldwide, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of his ideas.
- Despite technical and regulatory challenges, floating architecture is gaining interest as a creative and practical response to rising sea levels and urban density issues.
Key quote:
"The Netherlands is a complete fake, artificial machine."
— Koen Olthuis, founder of Waterstudio
Why this matters:
Floating architecture not only provides a unique answer to the threats posed by climate change and urban crowding but also reimagines how we inhabit and interact with the world's waterways, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable living.
Building resilience in cities means preparing for nature's power—but also addressing the social vulnerability of specific people due to climate changes.
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Cities at risk as sea levels rise and land sinks
Coastal cities are facing a dual threat: rising sea levels and the sinking of their land, a phenomenon known as subsidence, which could drastically increase flooding and damages by 2050.
In short:
- An extensive study in Nature reveals that subsidence could cause 500 to 700 square miles of additional U.S. coastal land to flood by 2050, affecting hundreds of thousands more people.
- Coastal cities are sinking at alarming rates, with 24 of the 32 studied cities subsiding more than 2 millimeters a year, doubling the risk of flooding.
- Current coastal defense strategies are inadequate, underestimating the urgency needed to address this compounded risk of sea-level rise and land subsidence.
Key quote:
"The combination of both the land sinking and the sea rising leads to this compounding effect of exposure for people."
— Leonard Ohenhen, environmental security expert at Virginia Tech.
Why this matters:
This phenomenon has profound implications for public health and safety, especially in underserved communities lacking the resources to adapt. Understanding and addressing both sea-level rise and subsidence is essential for future urban planning and disaster preparedness, illustrating the intertwined challenges of climate change and urbanization.
Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
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Oil giants unveil 'game-ending' strategy to kill climate cases
The legal battle over whether cities, counties and states can hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for heat waves, flooding and other effects of climate change is entering a critical new phase.
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