Storm Townlet

Katrina, Northern Japan and Sandy have shown the challenges faced by those who live in areas vulnerable to floods.  We used to think that design for the 100 year flood was adequate. Unfortunately, the old standard is overly optimistic.  The reality is that we should follow the Dutch lead and prepare for the 10,000 year flood, as modeled from historical data.  Well, maybe the 500 year flood is more realistic.  Prevention is infinitely more economical and humane than disaster recovery.  Recovery will often take decades for those who can afford it.  Many never recover.

Major approaches to flood prevention include:

Massive public works as in the flood barriers of New Orleans or the giant movable barriers in Holland are very expensive and make require decades to complete.

Small scale local interventions as in flood-proof subway and garage entrances are relatively inexpensive and can be constructed quickly.

Neither approach is without risk as shown in the failure of seawalls in northern Japan and lower Manhattan.  Hurricane Sandy would have devastated the areas exposed to the Atlantic even if the giant movable barriers had been in place at the mouths of the three estuaries in New Jersey and New York.

The individual homeowner needs to be very wealthy to rebuild with adequate flood prevention infrastructure in a storm vulnerable location, especially with the predicted  increase in severity and frequency of storms.  Insurance and financing may not be available even with the highest credit rating.  Small scale local interventions may be affordable and insurable for compact developments that distribute costs amongst many homeowners.

The Townlet is an option for those who want to live by the sea.  Its compact footprint greatly reduces the cost of required storm damage prevention infrastructure.  Architects and engineers can design for the strongest predicted storms and highest storm surge with building, mechanical, electrical and communications systems that function during and after the weather event.  A possible major advantage can be that all utilities may be generated and processed within The Townlet footprint.  The flood damage prevention infrastructure cost is shared by hundreds of owners.  The design is compact enough that models and mock ups can to be tested in established labs to optimize form, material use and detail, significant cost savings measures.