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CIB Conferences

Abstract

As climate change intensifies, California’s Central Valley faces unprecedented weather events, including increased flood risks, leaving homeowners vulnerable, especially those in disadvantaged communities. This paper, based on a master’s thesis, examines effective strategies for integrating flood-resistant design and construction practices into new homes and retrofit solutions for existing homes by assessing local flood vulnerabilities. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in an extensive literature review, this study combines a homeowner survey with qualitative interviews with local design, construction, and development professionals in the residential sector. Insights from the survey informed the interview design, enabling a deeper exploration of challenges specific to the region. Survey results revealed homeowners' past experiences and future concerns, while interviews with industry professionals identified practical and cost-effective flood mitigation strategies and retrofitting measures for existing homes. By bridging the gap between technical industry practices and accessible guidance, this research supports evidence-based policies and guidelines, and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11, to foster safe, resilient, and sustainable communities in flood-prone areas of the Central Valley.

The paper will be presented:

Online

Primary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Sustainable Cities and Communities - - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Secondary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Climate Action - - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Primary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

W120 – Disasters and the Built Environment

Secondary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

TG97 – Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilient Buildings and Communities

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