Methodology This study is formed from two supporting strands of research, the
architecture. The scope of the secondary research was widened
first establishes the current consensus in science for the existence
to take this into account, including articles from the insurance
of climate change and sea level rise, explores texts that make
industry through to sociological research. This scope will be
recommendations for dealing with sea level rise and flooding and
discussed in the literature review.
finally examines current Government policy. The second strand examines case studies and analyses these in the terms of the first
The study then moves onto an investigation of case studies of
strand of research in order to identify useful precedents and
architectural responses to water. The studies are divided into four
successful technologies.
sections - vernacular, 20th century, contemporary and speculative. The categories cover the entire spectrum of construction and
The bulk of this report has been written using secondary research,
ensure that examples from outside common western practice are
obtained from journal articles, government policy documents
included. These sections give a wide variety of typologies and
and the publications of quangos and other public and private
construction methods, details that can either be used wholesale
organisations with an interest in the relationship between water
in a new development, or adapted to fit specific circumstances. It
and the built environment.
is felt that by dividing the case studies into these sections a clarity and structure is given to the analysis that could otherwise become
In the process of the original literature search it became clear that
mired in the vast array of available examples.
policy and research concerning living with water came from a much wider disciplinary background than purely planning and
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