The LifE Project
As a population, and its expectations grow, there is an increase in demand for housing, employment, energy and food. Burgeoning demand on land, for development, food production and farming of energy crops leads to a wider variety of sites being built on; some of which are at risk from flooding. Climate change (greatly accelerated by man’s activities) could mean that there will be less land available as areas are lost to sea level rise or frequent flooding.
New building developments will need to reduce their impact on the environment, if they are to form part of the solution and not the problem. Yet they will also need to cope and manage with the changes in their environment, including the possibility of increased frequency and severity of flooding.
The life project adopts an ecological approach to flood mitigation. This method incorporates design features within a development, which allow floodwaters to pass through the landscape, with minimal risk to life and property. This approach is a shift from an approach of defending land and property from flooding, whatever the cost (see illustration).
This approach of ‘living with water’ requires a new design model: one that ensures continuity of everyday life before, during and after a flood: one that can cope with the uncertain and unpredictable future.
New building developments will need to reduce their impact on the environment, if they are to form part of the solution and not the problem. Yet they will also need to cope and manage with the changes in their environment, including the possibility of increased frequency and severity of flooding.
The life project adopts an ecological approach to flood mitigation. This method incorporates design features within a development, which allow floodwaters to pass through the landscape, with minimal risk to life and property. This approach is a shift from an approach of defending land and property from flooding, whatever the cost (see illustration).
This approach of ‘living with water’ requires a new design model: one that ensures continuity of everyday life before, during and after a flood: one that can cope with the uncertain and unpredictable future.