Facing flooding: The importance of global construction initiatives

Last week, the White House announced the imminent dangers that climate change poses on the United States’ future. The White House predicted that by the end of the century, the U.S. could have to spend $2 trillion annually to mitigate the impacts of increasingly intense droughts, floods, wildfires, and other disasters.

This news is particularly daunting, but in order to combat these disasters, large scale construction projects continue to pop up across the world. 

I have a personal interest in the work that is being done to protect cities from rising sea levels. These large-scale projects combine creativity and scientific analysis and provide a safeguard for growing cities. In particular, current flood mitigation efforts in Denmark and China are fascinating. 

In 2015, China found itself in a difficult situation. Large scale urbanization encroached on swamps and forests. These ecosystems used to serve as natural drainage systems for rain storms but eventually were appropriated for the construction of towns and cities. In 2020, the effects of these actions were evident when over two months 400 rivers flooded in China, impacting 50 million people.

However, legislators found a solution with the creation of sponge cities, which are meant to soak up, store, and then release water that would have otherwise flooded populated areas. To accomplish this, both gray and green infrastructure have to be effectively employed. Examples of gray infrastructure include water treatment systems and dams, while green infrastructure involves utilizing trees and vegetation to control water cycles.

Usually when employed in China, this process produces a park that is quite aesthetically pleasing. For instance, the city of Chongqing constructed wetlands and walking paths bordering the river. The wetlands, also home to native flora, are accompanied by a control center that monitors water flow and can predict storm surges.

In Denmark, rising sea levels and flooding will pose similar threats in the near future. Taking preemptive action, the capital city of Copenhagen is undertaking a $3 billion project to create an offshore island. Known as Lynetteholmen, it is meant to act as a dam and also house the city’s quickly growing population.

Lynetteholmen will be constructed in two phases. The first stage will create the perimeter for the island, which will act as a flooding barrier, and is expected to be finished in two years. The second will be focused on ensuring Lynetteholmen can be habitable and is planned to be completely finished by 2070. 

In China and in Denmark, these large projects are exciting because of both  their flooding protection and economic stimulation. Furthermore, as floods become more intense and sea level rise increases, other cities will be able to learn from past successes and failures.

For example, in Denmark, many are concerned about the social implications of a project of such a size. Large quantities  of sand and dirt have to be shipped to Copenhagen to fill in the island, and social activists fear that Lynetteholmen won’t provide ample affordable housing.

The outcome of this project, whether positively or negatively, will inform future climate resilience efforts. 

It is important to remember that the construction of climate infrastructure is a long process that has to evolve along with the issues themselves. Across the globe many other construction initiatives are underway, unique to the place they are being built. It is crucial that governments and communities focus on long term solutions. As cities continue to fill up with people, we will have to ensure that they are not filled with water as well. 

~ Adrian Visscher `24