Developing a National Standard for Building Flood Resilient Communities
The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is leading the way in recognizing the impact of flooding and will, as a next step, commit additional funding towards the development of a national standard on how to build flood-resilient communities, based on the best practices. Stakeholders, like developers and municipalities, support this direction and recognize the value of a standardization solution in addressing this issue.
New research from the University of Waterloo, funded by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and conducted by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, identifies 20 best practices to design and build new residential communities that are more flood resilient.
“With the larger storms that we are seeing today, and the bigger ones that are coming, those who purchase homes in communities built in line with these recommendations will also be buying some peace of mind every time it rains,” said Blair Feltmate, a professor in Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment and the head of the Intact Centre.
“By partnering with organizations like the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, SCC is working to ensure that climate change, climate resiliency and adaptation are part of Canada’s critical infrastructure standards,” said John Walter, CEO of the SCC. “This important work provides the foundation for developing a standardization solution that meets stakeholder needs and helps protect one of the most valuable assets of Canadians.”
The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation is developing a Canadian standard for flood-resistant residential communities. They are seeking input on the effectiveness of best practices, and their practicality, to reduce flood risk and suggestions for best practices from municipalities, building practitioners and other interested parties. The deadline to provide input is October 31, 2017.
See http://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Preventing-Disaster-Before-It-Strikes.pdf
