Coastal Virginia Testing a New Approach to Flood Planning

A new flood plan for Norfolk, Virginia aims to establish a new model for coastal resilience.

2 minute read

January 17, 2019, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ryan Murphy reports on the recently unveiled plan to fortify the neighborhood of Chesterfield Heights in Norfolk, Virginia, from coastal erosion and sea-level rise.

"[The] ambitious $112 million federally funded plan — the final version of which was unveiled last week — aims to halt the advance of the water and keep Chesterfield Heights dry for decades to come, as Norfolk faces down an estimated 2½ feet of sea level rise within 50 years," according to Murphy.

The plan, called the Ohio Creek Watershed Project, expanded beyond the original plan to build a series of seawalls and five drainage pumps. Murphy explains the changes since earlier versions of the plan:

Softer options like earth berms replace hardened sea walls. The berms, several feet high in some places, will be easier to update and reinforce than a traditional concrete structure — just toss some more dirt on it.

And

Ohio Creek is tidal and will flood and drain freely, as it always has. But Hayes Creek right next door will have a tide gate that can be dropped at low tide when a storm is coming. The creek and its wetlands will serve as a basin, collecting rainwater rather than letting it flood neighborhood streets. Then the gate will reopen after the storm to let the water drain out to sea.

The idea for the plan is also to export the knowledge gained from the plan's new and varied approaches to cities and communities in other parts of the country.

Monday, January 14, 2019 in The Virginian-Pilot

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

4 seconds ago - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

2 hours ago - WHYY

UPS delivery cargo bike with covered front seat in New York City

NYC Delivery ‘Microhubs’ Aim to Cut Down on Truck Pollution

The hubs are designed to provide parking for large delivery trucks, which can pass on their cargo to bikes or other zero-emission vehicles.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive