Résumé
The first book to bring possible infrastructure solutions to sea level rise in a clear and easy to read format, enhanced by
beautiful graphics.In 2012, Hurricane Sandy floods devastated coastal areas in New York and New Jersey. In 2017, Harvey flooded Houston.
Today in Miami, even on sunny days, king tides bring fish swimming through the streets in low-lying areas. These types
of events are typically called natural disasters. But overwhelming scientific consensus says they are actually the result of
human-induced climate change and irresponsible construction inside floodplains.
As cities build more flood-management infrastructure to adapt to the effects of a changing climate, they must go beyond
short-term flood protection and consider the long-term effects on the community, its environment, economy, and
relationship with the water.
Adapting Cities to Sea Level Rise, by infrastructure expert Stefan Al, introduces design responses to sea-level rise, drawing from examples around the globe. Going against standard engineering solutions, Al argues for approaches that are
integrated with the public realm, nature-based, and sensitive to local conditions and the community. He features design
responses to building resilience that creates new civic assets for cities. For the first time, the possible infrastructure
solutions are brought together in a clear and easy-to-read format.
The first part of the book looks at the challenges for cities that have historically faced sea-level rise and flooding issues,
and their response in resiliency through urban design. He presents diverse case studies from New Orleans to Ho Chi
Minh to Rotterdam, and draws best practices and urban design typologies for the second part of the book.
Part two is a graphic catalogue of best-practices or resilience strategies. These strategies are organized into four
categories: hard protect, soft protect, store, and retreat. The benefits and challenges of each strategy are outlined and
highlighted by a case study showing where that strategy has been applied.
Any professional or policymaker in coastal areas seeking to protect their communities from the effects of climate change
should start with this book. With the right solutions, Al shows, sea-level rise can become an opportunity to improve our
urban areas and landscapes, rather than a threat to our communities.Introduction
Part One: Addressing Resiliency in Urban Design
Case Studies: city resilience plans
New York
New Orleans
Ho Chi Minh City
Rotterdam
Part Two; Urban Design Strategies and Tactics to Increase Urban Resiliency
A. Protect
Seawall
Revetment
Breakwater
Floodwall
Dike
Multi-purpose Dike
Surge Barrier
B. Adapt
Living Shoreline
Dune
Polder
Floating Island
Protect + Re-occupy
C. Store
Floodable Plain
Floodable Square
Storm-water Infiltration
D. Retreat
Raised Ground
Flood Proofing
Strategic Retreat
ConclusionStefan Al is an architect, urban designer, and infrastructure expert at global design firm Kohn Pedersen Fox in New York. He has published several books, including Factory Towns of South China: An Illustrated Guidebook and The Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream . As a practicing architect and urban designer, he has worked on renowned projects such as the Canton Tower in Guangzhou.
