Built environment professionals emphasize that well-designed urban planning and infrastructure are essential to minimize the effects of flooding.
According to Nwosu Obinna, Principal Partner of CN Architects Ltd, flooding is a devastating natural disaster that causes substantial financial damage to the built environment, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to mitigate its impact.
He said, “Effective urban planning and infrastructure design are crucial in mitigating the impacts of flooding. Flood defences, such as levees, flood walls, flood plains, and green spaces, help absorb floodwaters. Sustainable drainage systems and comprehensive flood risk management are essential. Building codes and standards should mandate elevated structures, flood-resistant materials, and proper drainage systems.
“This destructive force affects housing, infrastructure, businesses, and the broader economy. The causes of flooding are multifaceted, encompassing climate change, urbanization, deforestation, construction in floodplains, and infrastructure deficiencies. The financial implications are both extensive and severe.
“In 2022, Nigeria experienced devastating floods that underscored the severe economic repercussions of such natural disasters. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the floods resulted in an estimated economic loss of $3.79bn to $9.12bn. These figures highlight the profound financial impact on the nation’s economy and the built environment.”
He recommended that the Federal Government adopt policies to promote insurance and risk management, including subsidies, tax breaks for flood-resistant construction, and collaborations between public and private sectors to make coverage more accessible and affordable.
He added, “Catastrophe bonds can provide funds for recovery efforts. Addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating wetlands for natural flood defences is also vital.
“Flooding causes massive financial losses in the built environment, affecting property, infrastructure, financial systems, and economies. Comprehensive strategies in urban planning, infrastructure development, building codes, and insurance schemes are necessary to combat these impacts.
“Upgrading and maintaining drainage systems, implementing early warning systems, restricting development in floodplains, and enhancing emergency response, river management, and coastal protection projects are critical steps in mitigating the financial losses caused by flooding.”
Engineer Babatunji Adegoke emphasized that flooding can be effectively controlled and prevented by enforcing planning laws and regulations, highlighting the importance of a structured approach to managing urban development and water management.
He stated, “By complying with these laws, we can ensure that roads are designed and constructed to withstand heavy rainfall and flooding, green spaces are preserved and utilised to absorb excess water, developments are built in suitable areas, avoiding flood-prone zones, and infrastructure is designed and built with flood resilience in mind.
“Furthermore, enforcing these laws is equally crucial in ensuring that developers and builders comply with regulations, that government authorities monitor and control development activities, and that the public is aware of and supports flood mitigation efforts.
“By combining these measures with adherence to planning laws and regulations, we can significantly minimise the risk and impact of flooding. Well-planned and regulated development is essential for creating flood-resilient communities.”
Adegoke stressed that tackling flood problems is essential to reducing the losses and disruptions they cause, including the impact on attendance and productivity.
He advised, “Providing adequate drainage facilities and discouraging the blockage of drainage systems with waste are essential steps. Regular maintenance of drainage systems is also vital to ensure they function properly.
“Additionally, elevating roads and infrastructure in flood-prone areas above flood levels can help prevent flooding. Raising awareness about the dangers of blocking drainage channels and imposing penalties for such actions can encourage responsible behaviour.
“Utilising permeable road construction materials, such as paving stones, allows for rainwater percolation during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding. Incorporating green spaces to promote percolation and reduce flood risk is also a good approach.”
Adegoke suggested several measures to mitigate flood risks, including providing real-time traffic updates during heavy rainfall to reduce congestion, using durable flood-resistant materials like concrete for road construction, and enforcing force majeure clauses in contracts.
Additionally, he recommended discouraging housing developments in flood-prone areas to minimize the impact of flooding.
“Finally, developing and implementing comprehensive emergency management and response strategies is essential for adequate flood planning,” he averred.
