A Review of Coastal Flood Risk Assessment Practice and Needs for Climate-Resilient Buildings and Infrastructure

Climate change and urbanization are likely to bring increased flood risks for coastal communities and infrastructure in Canada. Historically, Canadian approaches to flood risk management have emphasized avoidance measures that... [ view full abstract ]

Climate change and urbanization are likely to bring increased flood risks for coastal communities and infrastructure in Canada. Historically, Canadian approaches to flood risk management have emphasized avoidance measures that include land use planning, dikes and flood prevention schemes. However, some development will inevitably be needed in areas exposed to coastal floods, and the costs of maintaining current standards of flood protection may become prohibitive, particularly in regions where relative sea level rise is projected. There is growing awareness of the beneficial role of building- and infrastructure- level resilience measures in integrated flood risk management and climate change adaptation strategies. Such measures include structural strengthening, retrofitting, materials, finishes, and construction techniques, which can be implemented by design to enhance flood resilience. These measures are readily incorporated in building and infrastructure design codes, standards and guidelines. However, choosing appropriate measures requires, as a prerequisite, a clear understanding of the hazards and risks. Establishing a consistent approach to coastal flood risk assessment is therefore central to the development of effective design codes and standards. There is no national guidance on assessing coastal flood risks for building and infrastructure design applications, or on incorporating climate change projections and uncertainty. The absence of modern national guidelines contributes to elevated risk and reduced resiliency. Here, we present a review of coastal flood risk assessment practice and guidelines, conducted to identify current gaps and needs, and ongoing work to inform the development of design guidance for climate-resilient buildings and infrastructure in Canada.