By Marco Lopez
The Aztec city of Tenochtitlan was said to be built by its forefathers in the middle of a lake. The famous floating city – which was plundered by Hernan Cortes in the 16th Century was still floating at the time. Its population, vast and wealthy, was fed by a floating farming technique that sustained the empire.
It is said that Mexico City, the modern location of the ancient capital is still floating today, but sadly not as efficient as it was hundreds of years ago.
Widespread flooding caused by strong storms and hurricanes dropping heavy rains has devastated countries all over Latin America and the Caribbean more regularly in recent years, compounding emotional trauma, economic hardship, and infrastructural loss.
In 2020, Category 4 Hurricane ETA killed over 50 people in Guatemala, and also cause widespread rains resulting in flooding and landslides across the regions. A second storm, Hurricane Iota dump more moisture over the region causing never before seen flooding in Belize.
This year, in 2022 flooding has been recorded across the region, with two dying in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Houses and bridges were recently destroyed in Peru to large-scale flooding in Panama and Colombia. The nations of Suriname and Belize are said to have had the highest exposure to flooding in the region for 2022.
Rising populations settling in the flood-prone area results in the impacts of flooding becoming more pronounced in overpopulated communities. According to www.statista.com floods are the most common natural disasters in the region.
LAC countries have not been able to invest significantly in risk management strategies geared toward tackling the problems of flooding. So when the water comes and who can run, run, and the others hope for the best? One area lacking is the formulation of widely publicized and inclusive non-structural solutions to put preventative measures in place.
Flood management plans are not made public until the waters have inundated the vulnerable areas. An inclusive approach to flood management with community involvement as a norm can aid in the wider implementation and adherence to best practices.
On average, countries in the Caribbean suffer yearly losses from storm damages equivalent to 17% of their GDP
Non-structural approaches are necessary steps since country-wide prevention policies are vital guidelines and since very low investment is initially needed to reach the communities at risk. With the unpredictability of storms and the risk of flooding in areas already damaged, however, arise the need for structural solutions as well, geared towards strengthing housing and public infrastructure.
High-risk cities across LAC need funding to utilize nature-based solutions to their building methods that ensure populations are safe and sustainable in the future. The constant battering of weather systems can make this difficult for countries already trying to pick up these pieces.
Nature-Base Solutions geared toward strategic restoration and protection of the natural safeguards against flooding combined with traditional infrastructure are seen as the best bet and are gaining ground.
Reforestation of mangroves in coastal areas, increase flood protection. As to the protection of coral reef in the region – it is estimated, in a study published at nature.com, that every 20 km of mangrove cover protect $250 million dollars in infrastructure. In Mexico, it is estimated that the coral reef along Quintana Roo protects $42 million in infrastructure.
While building artificial barriers can be seen as a quick solution viable in the absence of these natural solutions, protecting these natural systems where they still strive proves a cost-effective alternative to protect and provide additional benefits to residents.
Additionally protecting and restoring wetlands, floodplains, and forests can improve water quality and agriculture and even power generation through hydroelectric plans.
Technology like amphibious houses and even floating cities have been researched and are being practiced all over the world but on a small scale in vulnerable areas. Maybe this technology could reach the global south in the short term, and like the great city of Tenochtitlan; cities, houses, and maybe even farms may be built retrofitted to float.
