Vancouver developed a comprehensive climate change adaptation strategy and changed bylaws to ensure that new buildings are elevated to protect against floods and future sea level rise.
The Challenge
Vancouver is ranked among the 20 most vulnerable cities in the world to sea level rise. Being the largest port in Canada, coastal flooding would also cause serious economic implications for the city. Canada does not have insurance mechanisms for residential flooding or a national flood hazard program. With the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, the city plans to ensure that Vancouver remains livable andresilient in the face of climate change and sea level rise.
The Solution
In 2012, Vancouver City Council adopted a comprehensive Climate Change Adaptation Strategy due to an increased focus on the city’s vulnerable position. This strategy also led Vancouver to change its building bylaws, so that new buildings in flood-prone areas must be built to elevations that account for sea level rise projections. Major city projects near the coast, such as an initiative to area-plan a large industrial site, now prioritize adaptation to sea level rise.
As part of the strategy, a Coastal Flood Risk Assessment (CFRA) has been developed, which will result in area-specific adaptation responses to sea level rise and the associated increase in flood risk. As the CFRA requires information such as the depth of potential flooding under various sea level rise scenarios, as well as information about the assets and people that are vulnerable to flooding, decision-makers are able to comprehend the consequences of flooding in their communities and compare response options. The goals for these responses are maximizing actions that will benefit the community regardless of the degree of sea level rise, prioritizing vulnerable populations, and minimizing flood risk.
Environmental Benefits – The debris created by a 500-year storm would fill over 4,500 trucks, causing a significant waste concern in the city.
Social Benefits – Under a scenario in which the sea level rises one meter in connection with a 500-year storm, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy is estimated to avoid damage to 800 buildings and displacement of 14,000 residents.
Economic Benefits – Climate-related disaster response costs, including damage to buildings, direct business impacts, city infrastructure costs, and emergency response costs, would be widespread and significant if no adaptation action was taken.
About Cities100
Presented by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Sustainia and Realdania – Cities100 showcases leading solutions to urban climate challenges in ten sectors, ranging from solid waste management to transportation.
Available online and in print, Cities100 provides stakeholders an accessible format to explore achievable solutions for climate action in cities, and will be a useful tool for relevant groups ranging from impact investors and development organizations, to mayors and city governments. You can access the full Cities100 2015 publication online here.
- Benefits
- Economic
- Environmental
- Social
- Key Impact
- 11.8 km2 of land protected against flooding due to the climate change adaptation strategy