Experts call for ‘joined-up approach’ to tackle urban flooding

15 October 2009

Leading industry bodies involved in the built environment have linked to call for a more joined-up approach to tackling urban flood risk.

Groups including the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) say it is no longer feasible to continue trying to defend communities from all flood risk, and future strategies will have to be based on building flood resilience into urban design and community support.

A joint policy statement emphasises that to realise full benefit, resilience measures will need to contribute to creating quality urban environments and managing the wider aspects of the water cycle.

Chair of the multi-institutional group, David Balmforth, said: ‘If we rely solely on flood defences and ever-larger drainage conduits, we will not be able to keep pace with climate change.

'We need to rethink our approach to urban design and the development of our communities. Flood risk management must be at the front of the planning and development process, not at the end.’

The policy statement has been produced as a guide for the built environment professions as well as government bodies and industry.

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