A growing number of buildings of all types are threatened by flooding, and if trends continue as predicted, the risk to property and livelihoods will only increase. We rely on heavy engineering, tidal barriers, riverside and coastal defences to protect our built environment from flooding. The desire to live adjacent to water reflects our cultural heritage and historic settlement patterns, and we continue to build on flood plains and other flooding-prone areas. We value a close relationship to water – witness the thriving areas of regeneration with water at their heart in Newcastle, London Docklands, Nottingham, Cardiff and Bristol. We live with the risk of flooding at the very centres of our towns and cities.

New challenges drive innovation in design and building construction. A more concerted approach that harnesses the drive and ambition of the private and public sector will be necessary to meet the climate change challenge, and that in itself is a potent mix. Longer-term vision begins to present new possibilities: the funding of infrastructure, delivering a consistent, long-term strategic vision, community planning and creation, coastal and fluvial engineering and possibly coastal retreat, design solutions, planning and development opportunities, and dealing with outdated perceptions of flood risk and water adjacency.

Rental Units in Ijburg Amsterdam. These units can be 2 / 3/ 4 bed and either built as Low Cost affordable housing or as high end Rental/Owner Occupier apartments.