While scientists say sprawling growth that has eaten up green space in the Houston area is at least partly responsible for unprecedented recent flooding, city officials largely disagree. More people die in the Houston area from floods than any other area of the country, according to a Texas A&M University at Galveston researcher. Also, more property per capita is lost in the area than in any other region and the problem is worsening, the researcher says.
Efforts to preserve green space that would absorb rainwater could mitigate flooding—at least partially—scientists contend. City officials dismiss this theory, and are not inclined to modify zoning and building codes to address the issue.
County and city officials say recent heavy flooding is due to freak occurrences, not changing land use conditions or heavier rain storms due to a changing climate, as scientists contend. Houston’s top flood control officials say their biggest challenge is not managing rapid growth but retrofitting outdated infrastructure.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Codes + Standards
Public Comment Period Opens for National Green Building Standard Updates
The 45-day public comment period for draft 2 of the 2024 NGBS begins on April 12, 2024
Codes + Standards
Public Comment Period Opens for 2024 National Green Building Standard Update
The 45-day public comment period opened Aug. 18, and comments must be submitted by Oct. 2, 2023
Codes + Standards
The Inefficiencies of the Latest Energy Code
The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) hampers the return on investment for builders and homebuyers
