|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Climate change represents one of the greatest global challenges today, with significant impacts on 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 was meticulously elaborated in the past to face floods and many of the tropical adversities that the region suffers.
Only after the detailed work of United States Army engineers, more than 100 years ago, did the area become 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 real laboratory where new technologies are tested to cope with floods, sea level rise, storms, etc.
Solutions in anti-hurricane technology have evolved greatly in recent decades. The new buildings, built offer constructions 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 greatest risk of future coastal floods, more than a billion people are exposed to these periodic water rises by 2070.
And how does the city of Miami prepare for this possible reality?
In addition to the solutions already adopted for years by municipal authorities, Miami decided to create a specialized Secretariat, called the 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 implement more efficient strategies to deal with climate change, especially with regard to rising water levels and floods.
The main actions are: construction of new landfills; elevation of structures on piles through which water can pass; public transport occupying high land; expansion of seaside parks and opening of canals in the places most prone to floods; 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 protective measures could be seen earlier this 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, I explained that, with regard to Florida’s real estate market, these measures are very well seen by new investors, who do not see climate change as an obstacle to investment. On the contrary, coastal cities are among the most desired by investors who are precisely selecting the destinations most prepared to deal with such adversities.
Construction standards for new buildings
Miami-Dade city hall also launched the Sustainable Buildings Program, under the Secretariat of Resilience, with new guidelines for construction, 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, thus, are more exposed to floods.
About AMG International Realty
AMG International Realty is a global real estate agency specialized in Florida and aimed at the foreign public. If you want to know more about opportunities in the real estate market of South Florida and Orlando region, contact me right now and talk to me on WhatsApp: +1 305 761 2655 (Heloisa Arazi).
