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Climate change represents one of the greatest global challenges today, with significant impacts in various spheres of society. One of the areas most affected by these changes are coastal cities, especially those that are popular tourist destinations and have a high-value real estate market. In this context, the city of Miami stands out for being among the most resilient and prepared for such changes, already with several solutions and urban plans in progress.
History of Adversity Made Miami More Prepared and Resilient
What makes Miami one of the most prepared coastal cities in the world for climate change?
Miami was originally built on swamps. Therefore, its planning has been meticulously elaborated in the past to face floods and many of the tropical adversities that the region suffers.
It was only after the detailed work of United States Army engineers, more than 100 years ago, that the area became populated.
In addition, the city already has tradition and history in the fight against nature events, such as hurricanes, for example.
Even exposed to these strong tropical storms, the city has not stopped growing and attracting more and more investments.
In this context, the “Magic City”, as it is nicknamed, has become a true laboratory where new technologies are tested to cope with floods, sea level rise, storms, etc.
Anti-hurricane technology solutions have evolved greatly in recent decades. The new buildings, built, offer buildings resistant to the high impacts of winds and storms. Learn all about the hurricane season in Florida.
Sea Level Rise
According to a projection of the Christian Aid organization’s report that lists the cities in the world at the highest risk of future coastal floods, more than one billion people are exposed to these periodic water elevations by 2070.
And how does the city of Miami prepare for this possible reality?
In addition to the solutions already adopted years ago by municipal authorities, Miami decided to create a specialized Secretariat, called the Secretariat of Resilience (Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience), whose mission is to “lead Miami-Dade County to a resilient and environmentally sustainable future, identifying vulnerabilities, coordinating stakeholders and facilitating innovative solutions”.
With the support of the new Secretariat, the municipal authorities of Miami-Dade were able to put in place more efficient strategies to deal with climate change, especially with regard to raising the level of water and floods.
The main actions are: construction of new landfills; elevation of structures on piles in which the waters can pass; public transport occupying high ground; expansion of parks by the sea and opening of canals in the places most prone to flooding; and creation of a network of small spaces for water flow in backyards, streets and parks. See here other measures adopted by the authorities
The positive result of these protection measures could be seen at the beginning of the month, where heavy rains caused floods rarely seen before in Miami-Dade County. As quickly as the floods occurred, they were also drained. Practically the next day the streets were already dry. Low impact and damage to the city and the population.
In a recent interview with BBC News Brazil, they explained that, with regard to the Florida real estate market, these measures are very well seen by new investors, who do not perceive climate change as an obstacle to investment. On the contrary, coastal cities are among the most desired by investors who are, precisely, selecting the most prepared destinations to deal with such adversities.
Construction Standards for New Buildings
The city of Miami-Dade also launched the Sustainable Buildings Program, under the Secretariat of Resilience, with new guidelines for constructions, which take into account the future rise in sea level and floods,” says Gomez.
In this context, when buying a property in Miami, especially houses facing the canal, it is important to consult an experienced broker in the city, since many houses can have an attractive price precisely because they are not within the new standards and, in this way, are more exposed to floods.
About AMG International Realty
AMG Internartional Realty is a global real estate company specialized in Florida and aimed at the Brazilian public. If you want to know more about opportunities in the real estate market of South Florida and the Orlando region, contact me right now and talk to me by WhatsApp: +1 305 761 2655 (Heloisa Arazi).
