Several articles with recommendations about what Houston can do to become more flood-resilient have emerged since Hurricane Harvey struck.
The keys, say experts, are better land use planning and more green infrastructure. Above all, the city should acknowledge that more floods are likely and plan accordingly.
Officials have encouraged development, even in low-lying areas, as an engine of economic growth. Instead, the city should consider more initiatives such as a planned buyout of two low-income apartment complexes so that the area can be repurposed as a flood basin that doubles as a park.
Harris County, which includes Houston, should limit new development in remaining wetlands and prairies to preserve water-absorbing acreage. New approaches to building design could also make a difference.
For example, a new hospital in Corpus Christi, a city which was also struck by Harvey, includes oversized roof drains, space for food and water storage for four days, emergency generators that can provide power for five days, and hurricane-resistant exterior materials. Green roofs and rain gardens, both cost-effective features, could also have a measurable impact if deployed at scale.
Related Stories
Legislation | Mar 28, 2022
LEED Platinum office tower faces millions in fines due to New York’s Local Law 97
One Bryant Park, also known as the Bank of America Tower, in Manhattan faces an estimated $2.4 million in annual fines when New York City’s York’s Local Law 97 goes into effect.
Codes and Standards | Mar 24, 2022
New York senate moves to speed up fossil fuel ban in new buildings
Lawmakers in the New York State Senate are backing a proposal to ban fossil fuels in new building construction three years sooner than a plan proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2022
High office vacancies have cities rethinking downtown zoning
As record-high office vacancies persist in U.S. urban areas, cities are rethinking zoning policy.
Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2022
Dept. of Energy awards $32 million for next-generation building retrofits
The U.S. Dept. of Energy has awarded a total of $32 million for more than 30 next-generation building retrofit projects that will dramatically improve affordable housing technologies, according to a DOE news release.
Legislation | Mar 18, 2022
New framework to help site community solar projects released
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a new report to aid policymakers in siting community solar projects.
Codes and Standards | Mar 17, 2022
Dept. of Energy seeks input on building-integrated photovoltaic systems
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Building Technologies Office (BTO) recently issued a request for information to gather input on technical and commercial challenges and opportunities for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems.
Legislation | Mar 16, 2022
Weak federal commercial real estate rules will hamper seizing Russian assets
Lax disclosure regulations that have made the U.S. a global hot spot for money laundering via real estate holdings will make it difficult for officials to seize properties from Russian oligarchs.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2022
First company awarded Fitwel Certification in Senior Housing for Occupant Health & Wellness
The Springs at Greer Gardens in Eugene, Ore., is the first property to earn a Fitwel global health certification under the newly created senior housing scorecard.
Codes and Standards | Mar 10, 2022
HOK offers guidance for reducing operational and embodied carbon in labs
Global design firm HOK has released research providing lab owners and developers guidance for reducing operational and embodied carbon to meet net zero goals.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2022
Late payments in the construction industry rose in 2021
Last year was a tough one for contractors when it comes to getting paid on time.
