FACING UP TO RISING SEA LEVELS - WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR PORTSMOUTH?

New exhibition sets out how Portsmouth could respond to flooding threat over the next 100 years

Much of Portsmouth could be under water by 2100, according to an exhibition opening next week at Portsmouth Cathedral. The exhibition sets out three options for city planners in the face of rising sea levels: submitting large parts of the city to the sea and retreating inland, developing improved coastal defences, or expanding the city into the sea using new building technology. The exhibition, Facing up to Rising Sea Levels, is designed to provoke debate about how we need to adapt to the changing environment, and has been produced by the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) think tank Building Futures and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). It uses Portsmouth to show how coastal cities are in jeopardy due to rising sea levels, sinking landmasses and an increase in storm frequency. It urges radical thinking by government, built environment professionals, planning authorities and the public to protect Portsmouth and other cities around the UK from extreme flood risk. Portsmouth would flood without its current sea defences. Portsmouth Cathedral, where the exhibition is being held, could be lost to the sea if anticipated sea level changes are not addressed. The Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral, the Very Reverend David Brindley said: “I’m delighted that this important exhibition is being held at Portsmouth Cathedral. Its message is stark: sea level changes cannot be ignored. To lose great parts of Portsmouth, including our beautiful Cathedral, would be unthinkable. This exhibition shows how architects, engineers and planners could respond to such a calamity, it’s an important contribution to a crucial debate.” Portsmouth Cathedral was chosen to host the exhibition, as the Portsmouth Anglican diocese has already agreed an environmental policy to urge Anglican worshippers in south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to reduce their carbon emissions and campaign on green issues. ICE South East regional director John Laverty said: “Portsmouth is highly vulnerable to tidal flooding and this risk is set to increase dramatically. Local authorities and planners, alongside built environment professionals are working hard to determine how best we might adapt to cope with this threat. Some very difficult decisions will need to be made to find suitable solutions and this will require forward thinking and a lot of co-operation and communication between the public, government and the professionals involved.” RIBA South/South East regional director Linda Mills said: “As a naval city, Portsmouth epitomises this country’s relationship with the sea. For centuries, it has been our gateway to the world as we ruled the waves. We may decide in years to come that it’s time for the waves to rule us. That’s an extreme statement, but so is the threat that we are facing. If we act now, we can respond to that threat and Portsmouth can continue to prosper. But the key word is ‘now’”. The three scenarios for Portsmouth are: Portsmouth Retreats In 2010 the fringes of Portsea Island are planned for salt marsh restoration, providing a recreational area boasting diverse wildlife. New hillside terrace developments are built further into the centre of the island, and buildings remaining on the edges find new uses more appropriate to flood risk. Residential houses are adapted, with dwelling moved to top floors and access routes repositioned above ground level. Portsmouth Defends New tide gates to the harbour, which can be closed when a tidal surge is predicated, are built. Marine traffic is reduced by relocating regular routes. This means there is no need to defend the inner harbour, representing a massive saving in defence infrastructure investment. A new ’living wall’ is built for the outer coastline, with the potential for commercial, residential and recreational development. Portsmouth Attacks A scheme is drawn up for two-tiered large piers to emerge from the city, linking into existing infrastructure and proving residential, commercial and recreational spaces. The lower tiers are used for traffic. Existing buildings on the island are retro-fitted to adapt to the flood risk, and new developments are built with regular high levels of water in mind. This includes stilted and floating communities. The scenarios were master-minded by a group of top architects, civil engineers, city designers, planners, developers, policy-makers, ecologists and futurologists. The exhibition, including sketches and details of the proposed ‘new cities’, will be exhibited at Portsmouth Cathedral from Monday 15 February until Saturday 27 February. Alongside the exhibition, the Facing up to Rising Sea Levels report can be downloaded at www.ice.org.uk/facing-up or www.buildingfutures.org.uk EDITOR: High resolution images of the scenarios – Portsmouth Retreats, Portsmouth Defends, and Portsmouth Attacks – are available on request. Media are invited to attend the launch event 2.30pm – 3.30pm, 16th February at Portsmouth Cathedral, St Thomas Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2HA. Speakers at the launch event will be: The Very Reverend David Brindley, Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral Ewan Willars, Head of Policy, RIBA John Slater, Head of Planning, Portsmouth City Council Ends Media contacts: Jenny Peterson, RIBA South/South East T: 07501 466648 or 01892 515715 E: jenny.peterson@inst.riba.org Steven Harding, RIBA South/South East T: 07595 466844 E: info@goodfellowcommunications.com Notes to editors: • Building Futures is the RIBA’s think tank on issues affecting the future of the built environment. It was established to create space for discussion about the needs of society from our built environment and, consequently, the built environment professions in 20 years and beyond. The group aims to highlight and promote those working with new technologies and developing new ideas, which will contribute to the future of our towns and cities and address society’s changing demands over the coming years. How and where will we be living in 50 or 100 years’ time? What technologies will architects be using to design new buildings and what materials will be specified? How will the inevitable new technologies affect the buildings and places we use every day? The Building Futures programme is ongoing and includes exhibitions, debates, events and research activities. For more information visit www.buildingfutures.org.uk. • The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was founded in 1818 to ensure professionalism in civil engineering. It represents 80,000 qualified and student civil engineers in the UK and across the globe. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy and UK exports.

Tags: