ABSTRACT
Rapid urbanisation in the twentieth century, coupled with the opportunities of technological innovation, has put unprecedented pressure on land resources, whereby financial and social expedients have risen above concerns of imbalance and risk. Expanding cities have sought to grow by creating or building on land that is particularly vulnerable to flood and climate impact, believing water can be tamed with new technology and the use of cleverly engineered systems of dykes, pipes, and gates. Such systems have been used effectively for centuries; however, they are expensive, inflexible, limited, and cannot replace the efficiency and adaptability of naturally evolved waterways and flood systems. Can the balance be redressed and developing cities learn from the lessons of the past by adapting key planning and design processes to prioritise low-impact development, and what integrated mitigation techniques can urgently be applied to modify existing urban areas?
