FLOOD PLAIN URBANISM
PROJECT NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION: The focus of this research study is to investigate the various hazard flooding conditions and types that can affect the urban environment, and to learn about their contributing factors that can impact the ecosystem, both positive and negative. In my research I begin to analyze where, how and why a particular flood event happens, and what can be done to reduce the risks of property damage, loss of life and contamination to the natural environment.
FLOOD ATTENUATION & SYSTEMIC ADAPTATION
My main goal in this research project was to study up close the threats, exposure, vulnerability and adaptive/maladaptive capacities of a city or community when a disaster strikes. My interest was to lean how can urban environment became more resilient against this type of conditions. Flood Plain Urbanism, has demonstrated in the past to be effective with flooding. It offers many functions to mitigate flood and to harvest water and nutrients essential for human life.
COMMERCE / BUSINESS OFFICES
The primary goal for my research project, was to analyze the geographic conditions of floodplains in the Boston region to discover the critical areas in the Boston’s basin that are more exposed to flood threats, impact and hazard. Insurance premiums also play an important role as a resiliency contributor factor that determines how well a community or individual will be preparing against flooding. I conducted a brief research on flood insurance premium that explains how premiums are calculated.
MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS
UC
RACE / ETHNICITY
AT
IO
N
RELIGION
DEMOGRAPHIC
GENDER
SOCIAL
SOCIALECONOMIC CLASS
POLICE / AUTHORITY SERVICES
PUBLIC SECTOR
MIGRATION AND DISPLACEMENT
E
AG
ROADS / STREETS
CULTURAL
ED
OMIC
My objectives following this research project and topic will be to develop a floodplain basin somewhere in the Boston region, most likely in the coastal zone where coastal flood events are more likely to happen. The idea design will protect the coast add valuable assets to the coastal landscape that are beneficial for the ecosystem.
ENTERPRISES RUN BY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP
ECON
MILITARY SERVICES
PRIVATE SECTOR
TRANSIT
UE NC Y
CIVIL / GOVERNMENTAL OFFICES
AGRICULTURE
FR EQ
DURA
TYPE
TION
EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT
GEOGRAPHIC
EXPOSURE
RECREATIONAL GREEN OPEN SPACES THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT
VULNERABILITY
NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS
HAZARD
HYDROLOGICAL STRUCTURE:
ENVIRONMENTAL
HYDROLOGICAL STRUCTURE:
11
1A. FLOOD BASIN | 1B. FLOOD PLAIN | 1C. 100 YEAR FLOOD
1A. FLOOD BASIN | 1.B FLOOD PLAIN | 1C. 100 YEAR FLOOD
NOR'EASTER / HURRICANE
22 33
STORM SURGE
FLOOD PLAIN URBANISM EN CE
MITIGATE
PIN
G
RISK
BUILDING COASTAL BERRIERS
STORMWATER RUNOFF | SEWAGE SYSTEM
STORMWATER RUN OFF | SWAGE SYSTEM
LANDFILL STRATEGY & CONTAMINATION CONTROL
LANDFILL STRATEGY & CONTAMINATION CONTROL
FEMA & INSURANCE REGIMES
FEMA & INSURANCE REGIMES
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
DEGREE OF URBANIZATION
The tract of land actually submerged during the highest known flood in a specific region. The flat, wide area lying between a low, sloping plain and the natural levee of a river. CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS
KEEP WATER OUT
FLOOD HAZARD INSURANCE MALADAPTATION
IMPACT OF WATERSHED - HARDSCAPE INCREASE % OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES (FLOOD TYPOLOGY 1-7)
IMPACT OF WATERSHED - HARDSCAPE INCREASE % OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES (FLOOD TYPOLOGY 1- 7)
1A. Flood Basin
INSTALLATION OF FABRICATED ENGINEERED MATERIALS TO PREVENT WATER INFILTRATION AT SPECIFIC COASTAL LOCATIONS
MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND
44 55
D BA RIVE RR R F AC IE R TO FA RS CT OR S
ILI
CO
PARAMETERS
66
ADAPTIVE CAPACITY
RE S
IM
PA CT
EA T
WEATHER AND CLIMATE EXTREMES CONDITIONS
TH R
SEA LEVEL RISE
HIGH TIDE
IMPACT | REDUCTION | FRAGILITY OF ECOSYSTEM
IMPACT | REDUCTION | FRAGILITY OF ECOSYSTEM
CONSTRUCTION OF SEA WALLS, SMALL AND LARGE SCALE
1B. Flood Plain
MANAGED COMMUNITY RETREAT
A flood plain refers to the flat land surrounding a river or waterways that experiences flooding at high water levels. Rather than completely flat the land slopes gently towards the water. The flood plain extends until a physical barrier - natural or man-made - stops it’s progression, such as a hill slope or a sea wall.
AGRICULTURAL CAPACITY
1C. 100 Year Flood
A 100 year flood is not a flood that happens once every 100 years, but rather is the level of water expected to be equaled or exceeded every 100 years on average. Based on the expected level of water a predictive flood plain can be mapped out. This flood plain map is then used to inform decisions on building permits, insurance, and zoning.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
THE ADAPTIVE AND MALADAPTIVE FACTORS EXISTING PLANNING REGULATIONS
Storm Surge
Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water due to a storm. It acts like a large, fast moving high tide that floods the surrounding area. The damage from storm surge occurs due to the speed and height of the water moving into an area.
EXISTING WARNINGS AND PROTECTION FROM NATURAL HAZARDS
Coastal Zone Management
2003 Department 2003 Department of of Homeland Security Homeland Security
ACCESS TO INSURANCE
LIFE ELIFE XPEC T AN C Y EXPECTANCY
DISABILITY
HE AL TH STATUS
WELL-BEING
AN INTEGRATED ECONOMY
1979 FEMA 1979 FEMA
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
"In 1973 the Department of Housing Urban Development "In 1973 the Department of Housing and and Urban Development control all disaster relief. In 1979 Jimmy Carter issued tooktook control of allofdisaster relief. In 1979 Jimmy Carter issued an executive to form FEMA asknow we know it today, an executive orderorder to form FEMA as we it today, ESTIMATED ANNUALLY AVERAGE FOR consolidating all disparate elements into one organization. " consolidating all disparate elements into one organization. " FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN MA: [Flood Urbanism, Northeastern University School [Flood PlainPlain Urbanism, Northeastern University School of of Architecture] Architecture]
$12,000 SHARE PERCENTAGE OF THE TOP 5 FLOOD INSURANCE CORPORATIONS BASED ON MOST PURCHASED PREMIUMS, AFFORDABLE RATES AND RELIABLE COVERAGE.
FLOOD TYPOLOGY:
1973 DHUD 1973 DHUD
INSURANCE HIERARCHY + EVOLUTION (CONTRIBUTING FACTORS):
$10,000
1930 Reconstruction 1930 Reconstruction Finance Corporation Finance Corporation
$8,000
31.25% NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
"Reconstruction finance Corporation established. Its primary "Reconstruction finance Corporation established. Its primary to distribute stimulus money to falling banks in the goalgoal was was to distribute stimulus money to falling banks in the midst of Great the Great Depression, but they dispersed midst of the Depression, but they alsoalso dispersed money to areas affected by natural disasters." [ Flood Plain money to areas affected by natural disasters." [ Flood Plain Ur banism, Nor theaster n Univer School Ar chitectur Ur banism, Nor theaster n Univer sity sity School of Arofchitectur e] e]
$6,000
25% STATE FARM
$4,000
9.4%
18.75% ALLSTATE
1803 Hoc 1803 AdAd Hoc
"Before FEMA, the primary method of dealing disasters "Before FEMA, the primary method of dealing with with disasters Ad Hoc. In 1803, when fire destroyed a large number was was Ad Hoc. In 1803, when a firea destroyed a large number of business in New Hampshire, Congress passed a law of business in New Hampshire, Congress passed a law granting a temporary easement of tariffs on imports in order granting a temporary easement of tariffs on imports in order to help the merchants recover. system of individual to help the merchants recover. ThisThis system of individual legislation carried on until 1930." [ Flood Plain Ur banism, legislation carried on until 1930." [ Flood Plain Ur banism, N o rNt hoer at hset earsnt eUr n i U v enri vs ietrys iSt yc hSocohl ooof l Aorf c A h ir tcehci tt ue rcet u ] r e]
$2,000
FARMERS INSURANCE
>3’
15.6%
LIBERTY MUTUAL
The Coastal Zone Management Act was passed in 1972 to encourage states to be responsible for their own coastal land. The Act allows states to voluntarily develop plans for the maintenance, restoration, and redevelopment of their waterfront. Each plan must include specific provisions relating to protecting natural resources, managing coastal development to minimize damage and loss of life in flood and storm surge zones, increase public access, redeveloping urban waterfronts, and the preservation of coastal features.
2’
1’
BFE’
HEIGHT OF FIRST FLOOR
-1’
-2’
HOW IS FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS CALCULATED?
History FEMA History of of FEMA
A number of factors are considerate when determining your flood insurance premium. These factors include: the amount and type of coverage being purchased, location and flood zone, and the design and age of your structure. For homes in high-risk areas (e.g., Special Flood Hazard Areas or AE, VE Zones) built after the first Flood Insurance Rate Maps were drawn for that community, the elevation of the building in relation to the base flood elevation is also required.
FEMA SPENDING: 1962-2011 FEMA Spending: 1962-2011 FEMA Spending: 1962-2011
1. River Flooding: This occurs when a river cannot cope with the amount of water entering it. 2. Coastal Flooding: Weather and tidal conditions can increase sea levels. The frequency and severity of this type of flooding is predicted to rise. 3. Surface Water Flooding: This happens when there is heavy rainfall on ground that is already saturated, or on paved areas where drainage is poor. 4. Groundwater Flooding: When rainfall causes the water that is naturally stored underground to rise to the surface it can flood low-lying areas. 5. Drain and Sewer Flooding: This can occur during heavy rain when drains have become blocked or full. 6. Broken Water Mains Flooding: Burst water mains can cause flooding underground and to basements of properties. 7. Flash Flooding: This is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas: washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe storm.
FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUM GRAPH: This graph shows how tthe flood insurance premium is calculated. Estimates of premium costs are based on first floor height of buildings. Floor heights that are between (>3’) - BFE’ - (-2’) shows a huge difference in dollar amounts. Basically >3’, 2’ and 1’ represent floor heights that are above the nornal flood elevation expectancy in a particular zone. And heights that are -1’ and above represents floor heights that are below the water elevation.
HISTORY OF FEMA:
2011 2011
2003 Department of Homeland Security
Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina 2005 2005
EPHEMERAL FLOOD BOUNDARIES:
Hurricane Andrew Hurricane Andrew 1992 1992 Hurricane Hurricane Hugo Hugo 1990 1990
1979 FEMA
DIFFERENCE IN FLOOD DEPENDS UPON CONDITION / MAGNITUDE TO A NATURAL “FLOOD PLAIN”
1973 DHUD 1962 1962
WATERSHED BASIN FLASH FLOOD
"In 1973 the Department of Housing and Urban Development took control of all disaster relief. In 1979 Jimmy Carter issued an executive order to form FEMA as we know it today, consolidating all disparate elements into one organization. " [Flood Plain Urbanism, Northeastern University School of Architecture]
1930 Reconstruction Finance Corporation "Reconstruction finance Corporation established. Its primary goal was to distribute stimulus money to falling banks in the midst of the Great Depression, but they also dispersed money to areas affected by natural disasters." [ Flood Plain Ur banism, Nor theaster n Univer sity School of Ar chitectur e]
1803 Ad Hoc
"Before FEMA, the primary method of dealing with disasters was Ad Hoc. In 1803, when a fire destroyed a large number of business in New Hampshire, Congress passed a law granting a temporary easement of tariffs on imports in order to help the merchants recover. This system of individual legislation carried on until 1930." [ Flood Plain Ur banism, Nor t heast er n Uni v er si t y School of Ar chi t ect ur e]
COMMON CAUSES OF FLOOD: History of FEMA Why Flood Happens? and What are its benefits?
FEMA Spending: 1962-2011
k
Hurricane Katrina 2005
k
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Flooding occurs most commonly from heavy rainfall when natural watercourses do not have the capacity to convey excess water. 2011 However, floods are not always caused by heavy rainfall. They can result from other phenomena, particularly in coastal areas where inundation can be caused by a storm surge associated with a tropical cyclone, a tsunami or a high tide coinciding with higher than normal river levels. Dam failure, triggered for example by an earthquake, will result in flooding of the downstream area, even in Hurricane Andrew 1992 dry weather conditions. Hurricane Hugo 1990
.25
.5
.5
COASTAL AND RIVERINE
1 Mile
1
2 Miles
Scale: 1” = .5 Miles
k
COASTAL FLOOD
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Other factors which may contribute to flooding include:
Floods are part of the natural cycle of things. The benefits of natural floods almost certainly outweigh the negative aspects. The problems start when flooding occurs in areas of large-scale human development of the landscape. In areas largely inhabited by people, there are both positive and negative environmental effects of flooding. Floods can distribute large amounts of water and suspended river sediment over vast areas. In many areas, this sediment helps replenish valuable topsoil components to agricultural lands and can keep the elevation of a land mass above sea level. But flooding, particularly in river floodplains, is as natural as rain and has been occurring for millions of years. Famously fertile floodplains like the Mississippi Valley in the American Midwest, the Nile River valley in Egypt, and the Tigris-Euphrates in the Middle East have supported agriculture for millennia because annual flooding has left millions of tons of nutrient-rich silt deposits behind.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
RIVERINE FLOOD
•volume, spatial distribution, intensity and duration of rainfall over a catchment; •the capacity of the watercourse or stream network to convey runoff; •catchment and weather conditions prior to a rainfall event; •ground cover; 1962 •topography; and •tidal influences.
WATERSHED BASIN k
• The world watershed is sometimes used interchangeably with drainage basin or catchment. • Here shows the Boston Region context in relation to all flood scenarious represented below.
REVERINE FLOOD
URBAN DRAINAGE FLOOD
• Riverine floods are one type of flood that can cause excessive water flows over a floodplain area. • In this diagram shows a section of the Charles River and how a flood cituation can cause to the local area.
FLASH FLOOD • This diagram show how the community is affected when a flash flood occurs. • Flash flood are the most common floods and the most dangerous killing more people then any other flood type. It happens without wanings.
COASTAL FLOOD • Costal flood is the second most common flood that occurs and the highest flood type in damage cost. • It occurs typically in dry and low-laying land. The topography in this type of flood determines the magnitute and severiness of a flood event.
URBAN DRAINAGE k
Scale: 1” = .5 Miles
k
• This type of flood, usually occurs in areas that are developed in the urban setting. It happens when a city channel or alike gets inundated by rapid rain water fall. • This type of flood can also cause huge costs and potentially loss of life depending on the severity of a storm surge.