From the finest residential architecture in London to Knap of Howar, the oldest house in the world still standing, we’ve spent Millennia trying to protect ourselves from the weather. However, everything can change. Rainfall patterns, sea levels, average temperatures and more can and have all seen big changes. This causes a lot of issues, especially for cities that did not plan ahead and lack weather resilience. We want to take a closer look at this today.
The issue
Many cities around the world have little to no defence against extreme weather. The problem is they developed without thinking ahead. Often they chose locations that had strategic advantages, such as close proximity to rivers or lakes to easily access water. Others chose spots with an abundance of natural resources. At the time they were advantageous spots, but with climate changes, today they can be far more hazardous.
Locations in flat, low lying areas are in the most danger. The geography means they can lack natural drainage and are prone to flooding. If heavy rain becomes more frequent, the floods can be catastrophic.
We can see a heartbreaking example of this in Brazil at the moment. Flooding began on 29th April across the south of the country in Rio Grande do Sul after heavy rains and storms. The cause was a heatwave in the central-western and southeastern regions. It meant cold air could not advance north, meaning more rain for the region. In just ten days 25% of the typical annual rain fell on the region. It has resulted in 336 municipalities being declared as disaster areas.
How to improve weather resilience?
Whether it is new residential architecture in London or developments in other parts of the world, it is crucial to think about resilience. There are a number of things to try here. Let’s have a look at some of them.
A crucial thing is to ensure water is allowed to flow rather than restricting it. One popular strategy in China is to create floodable parks. Water flows here when there is a flood, temporarily making them inaccessible. However, when it gradually flows away, the space can reopen.
Another good strategy is permeable pavements, road, and other hard surfaces. Water can seep through them rather than pooling on the surface or flowing off into drains. As a result, it can be far more effective at preventing flooding.
Education is also vital. The goal should be to teach people how to monitor the conditions and determine if and when it will be necessary to evacuate. They also need to know about evacuation plans, including where to go.
If possible, people should gradually vacate areas that are now prone to flooding. Plus, if building on areas where there could be a risk, there should be steps to ensure there is sufficient drainage and flood protection measures.
Do you need help with residential architecture in London?
While the UK has a wonderful geographic location that protects us from some of the worst natural disasters, we are not immune to problems. Flooding, heatwaves, and droughts can cause huge issues here. We need to consider resilience with our cities and other developments too.
If you are planning a project involving residential architecture in London, you can speak to us to get useful advice. We can help you shape your idea, consider different options, and plan for all kinds of risks and hazards. Get in touch today and tell us what you are planning.