Floodplain Development

Harvey Floods Houston

NPR: HUD Sells Flood-Prone Homes Without Disclosing Risks

The troubling trend is particularly pronounced in lower-income communities, where experts worry households are being inadvertently set up for big financial losses.

September 28, 2021 - NPR

Midwest Flooding

Most Americans Unaware of Flood Risks, Study Finds

The lack of disclosure laws in most states has led to an overvaluation of homes located in floodplains across the country.

May 10, 2021 - Grist

Lincoln Memorial

Restricting Floodplain Development in the Nation's Capital

The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment has read the writing on the wall.

January 19, 2020 - Urban Turf

Hurricane Harvey

Connecting the Issues of Flooding and Affordable Housing in Texas

A study released this week by the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium ( the University of Houston, the Kinder Institute, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and more) raises concerns that new floodplain regulations could harm renters.

March 21, 2019 - The Houston Chronicle

South Carolina Resilience

North Carolina Reconsidering its Stance on Climate Change

Two hurricanes later, residents of North Carolina aren't so willing to deny the need to do something about the effects of climate change. A Democratic governor and a changing State Legislature have already produced action.

December 29, 2018 - Inside Climate News

Flodding

Floodplain Development Grows as Regulations Shrink

More Americans are moving to high-risk flood zones as environmental deregulation wins the day.

August 21, 2018 - Governing

West Houston Floodplain

800 New Homes Approved for Houston's Floodplain

The city of Houston approved a new development that doesn't meet new elevations standards approved by the city of Houston earlier this month.

April 26, 2018 - Houston Chronicle

Texas Flood

Houston Seriously Tightens Rules on Floodplain Construction

It was the city's "first major regulatory response" to Hurricane Harvey.

April 9, 2018 - Houston Chronicle

Clear-Sky Flood

Houston-Area Floodplain Regulations to Expand from 100-Year to 500-Year Levels

Harris County, home to Houston and the scene of widespread devastation during Hurricane Harvey and other weather events, will make large-scale changes to development regulations on floodplains for the first time in almost 20 years.

November 26, 2017 - Houston Chronicle

Houston Flood

Opinion: Forget Zoning, Houston Needs a Floodplain Ordinance

Zoning might not have saved Houston from Harvey, but a strong floodplain ordinance would have, according to an opinion piece published in the Houston Chronicle.

October 3, 2017 - Houston Chronicle

Rethinking Development As Queensland Recovers From Floods

Drastic flooding inundated Queensland, Australia, and damaged many of the city's buildings. As recovery begins, some are rethinking the city's development patterns.

March 10, 2011 - Architectural Record

Sin Keeps Development Away, Preserves Nature

The former site of the Mustang Ranch turns out to be an important piece of a floodplain restoration project in Nevada, and was inadvertently preserved because of the presence of the famous brothel.

December 17, 2009 - The New York Times

Review for Floodplain Development is Required

Florence County Planning officials recently updated the county's land-use element of the comprehensive plan, which would require review of development taking place in floodplains.

June 12, 2009 - SC Now

Building Ban to Protect Northwest Salmon

In an effort to protect endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest, the National Marine Fisheries Service is calling for a building moratorium near rivers in the Puget Sound region.

October 1, 2008 - Seattle Post Intelligencer

No Slowing Floodplain Development in Britain

Floodplain development has proven time and time again to be big trouble when heavy rains come. But in Britain, that's not stopping it.

September 13, 2008 - Guardian

Flood Forecasting Goes 3D

New modeling software could soon be available that would allow monitoring across the internet of flood levels in specific areas- like your backyard.

August 14, 2008 - Popular Mechanics

How Development Makes Flooding Worse

This article from The Christian Science Monitor looks at how development, farm practices, and population growth have increased the risk of flooding.

June 19, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Flood Control Project On Death Bed

An Army Corps of Engineers flood control project in south-central Mississippi is in danger of being vetoed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But supporters have not given up hope.

April 15, 2008 - The New York Times

We'll Go Down To The River

Despite official calls following the 1993 floods along the Mississippi to remove development from flood plains, more housing and retail developments continue to be built along vulnerable areas.

April 8, 2008 - AlterNet

Future Challenges for the Mississippi

The editor of Grist's recent series on the Army Corps of Engineers and the Mississippi River offers some thoughts about the future challenges and issues facing the region.

March 24, 2008 - Grist

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.