¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

XClose

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº News

Home
Menu

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº in the News: Climate change imperils City

2 May 2008

Daniel Thomas, 'The Financial Times' London and the Thames Gateway are at particular risk of flooding caused by climate change, a report says on Friday, pointing to the scale of housing development planned in the region and danger to the capital's financial district.

…

The analysis, by researchers at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, assesses the vulnerability of 14 strategic UK cities and towns. …

Southampton is identified as the UK's most vulnerable location, while London and the Thames Gateway areas are seen as particularly at risk of flooding. …

The ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº report highlights the unforeseen problems facing city centres, where it says there is a lack of "coping strategies".

"There are a number of major office developments in harbourside and riverside locations - such as Cardiff - which may find themselves at risk over the longer term," it says. "This is a particular concern in London, where the cost implications of major flooding due to the overtopping of the Thames Barrier would be considerable." …

Flooding is expected to affect all sectors of UK property.

"Flooding is the key right now," said Yvonne Rydin, professor of planning, environment and public policy at the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Bartlett School of Planning. "There needs to be more work done on urban drainage and the permeability of urban areas."

Prof Rydin pointed to greater risks among older and lower-quality properties. "Secondary and tertiary properties are not well equipped to deal with these changes," she said. …