Urban Planning in Flood Mitigation plays a crucial role in addressing flooding, according to experts in the built environment. Effective infrastructure design and urban planning are essential for reducing the impact of flooding, as noted by stakeholders.
Nwosu Obinna, the Principal Partner at CN Architects Ltd, emphasized the destructive nature of flooding, describing it as one of the most financially damaging natural disasters. He explained, “Urban planning and infrastructure design are key to mitigating flooding impacts. Implementing flood defenses like levees, flood walls, flood plains, and green spaces can help absorb floodwaters. Additionally, sustainable drainage systems and comprehensive flood risk management are vital. Building codes should require elevated structures, flood-resistant materials, and adequate drainage systems.”
Critical Role of Urban Planning in Flood Mitigation Strategies
Urban Planning in Flood Mitigation plays a critical role in preventing floods, he further highlighted the multifaceted causes of flooding, including climate change, urbanization, deforestation, construction in flood-prone areas, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which contribute to significant financial losses in housing, infrastructure, businesses, and the wider economy.
Citing the devastating floods in Nigeria in 2022, Obinna pointed out that the economic losses ranged between $3.79 billion and $9.12 billion, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. These figures underline the severe financial toll on the nation’s economy and built environment.
Obinna also urged the Federal Government to implement policies that ensure insurance and risk transfer through subsidies, tax incentives for flood-resilient development, and public-private partnerships to offer affordable coverage. He suggested the use of catastrophe bonds to fund recovery efforts and stressed the importance of addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating wetlands for natural flood defenses.
Critical Role of Urban Planning in Flood Mitigation Strategies, Engineer Babatunji Adegoke echoed similar sentiments, stating that effective flood mitigation hinges on strict adherence to planning laws and regulations. “By complying with these laws, we can ensure that roads are designed to withstand heavy rainfall, green spaces are utilized to absorb excess water, and developments are restricted in flood-prone areas,” he said.
Adegoke also emphasized the importance of enforcing these laws to ensure compliance by developers and builders, government oversight of development activities, and public support for flood mitigation efforts. “Well-planned and regulated development is essential for creating flood-resilient communities,” he added.
He advised that providing adequate drainage facilities, discouraging the blockage of drainage systems with waste, and regularly maintaining these systems are crucial steps. Additionally, he recommended elevating roads and infrastructure in flood-prone areas, using permeable road construction materials, and incorporating green spaces to reduce flood risks.
Adegoke also suggested that real-time traffic information during heavy rainfall could minimize congestion, and the use of flood-resistant materials like concrete for road construction could enhance durability. He further advocated for the enforcement of a force majeure clause in construction contracts and discouraging housing developments in flood-prone areas to mitigate flood risks.
Lastly, Adegoke emphasized the need for comprehensive emergency management and response strategies to ensure adequate flood planning.
