Resilient Economies Strategies for Sinking Cities and Flood Risks 2025

Review of the use cases points to adopting an integrated approach where multistakeholder collaboration, proactive investment, policy reform and systems-thinking are essential. A range of solutions exists to address the threat of sinking cities. No single intervention is sufficient; maximum impact can be achieved when multiple measures are implemented in a coordinated, cohesive manner across global, regional and local levels.2.5 What solutions are adopted by cities? Examples of city solutions that help address sinking levels (non-exhaustive) FIGURE 8 Infrastructure updates and development Expansion of surface water treatment plans and piped distribution network Large-scale drainage infrastructure, to also manage flood risks Retention wells and network of reservoirs to capture surface water Managed aquifer recharge Coastal protection infrastructure Nature-based and green infrastructure integration Urban planning and design Sponge city and nature-based and green infrastructure implementation (e.g. green roofs, ground vegetation, permeable pavements, rain gardens, constructed wetlands) Dual-purpose public spaces as functional and social functions and flood retention basinTechnology and data Ground-based monitoring tools (e.g. observation wells, surveys and global satellite navigation systems) Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) Light detection and ranging (LiDAR)Policy and regulation Prohibition and limitations of groundwater use Enabling zoning laws to manage subsidence Requirements for building materials and mandatory geotechnical assessments Coordinated long-term water systems framework Water conservation (e.g. rainwater infiltration and reclaimed wastewater) Environmental plans for building owners Setting strict maximum allowed subsidence 28 Resilient Economies: Strategies for Sinking Cities and Flood Risks