New climate and flood models are needed to understand growing flood risks.

A ‘new normal’ of flooding and extreme weather events is prompting cities around the country to reevaluate their water infrastructure and flood risk models, writes Carl Smith in Governing. Smith notes that “floods are the most common and widespread weather-related disasters. Estimates of their annual cost range from $180 billion to $496 billion a year.”
Daniel Swain, a University of California, Los Angeles climate scientist, says “Virtually all of the infrastructure that we have built was built for a climate that no longer exists.” To address this, a new report from the US Water Alliance, Water Rising: Equitable Approaches to Urban Flooding, identifies priority areas for resilience and equity planning and encourages cities to assess their own local challenges and infrastructure.
In Hampton, Virginia, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) produced a report that highlights risks and resources in the region, offering local officials “an opportunity to look at exposure to climate hazards among the more than 150 facilities in the HRSD system and possible floodwater levels now and in the future.”
According to Swain, “Localities must gather and heed this kind of data as they plan for infrastructure improvements.” Mami Hara, CEO of the US Water Alliance, suggests a more regional approach to water infrastructure, such as a “regional resilience entity that brings together water and climate issues.”
FULL STORY: Planning for a Daunting New Normal of Flood Risk

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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