Rising Sea Levels - Living Sustainably
How can we prevent tidal flooding in London?
Even if the world could reduce its carbon emissions to zero tomorrow, London would still be at risk from higher tides, caused by climate changes that are already in motion. City of London Corporation has used ArcGIS to accurately model likely future changes in the Thames and propose developments that will both reduce the risk of flooding and improve the sustainability of the riverside environment for future generations.
The bank of the River Thames in the City of London has changed significantly since the late 19th century when it was a major port for trade and shipbuilding. This historic riverside must, however, continue to evolve to address the challenges of climate change. Projected increases in the sea level, higher tides and more frequent tidal surges could lead to flooding if the riverfront is not developed to reinforce the existing river defences.
To better understand the extent of the risks, the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Resilience Team used ArcGIS and drone-captured data to model the impact of river level rises over time. This geospatial analysis revealed that 70% of the riverside in the Square Mile will need to be raised by 2065, while 97% will have to be raised by 2100 to keep London and Londoners safe. Significantly, the team discovered that parts of the existing flood defence will need to be increased by up to one metre, which will have an impact on nearby properties and businesses, as well as riverside walkways, street furniture, historical sites and vistas of the river.
To share its findings with the public and stakeholders, the Environmental Resilience Team created a series of ArcGIS StoryMaps that outline the challenges presented by rising river levels and clearly show which sections of the river need higher defences first. The team’s pioneering research will be used to inform decisions about development projects that will not only raise the river defences, but, at the same time, also enhance the user experience of the riverside, improve opportunities for biodiversity and highlight the historic importance of the City’s riverbank.
“Through our use of ArcGIS we have improved our understanding of the impact of climate change on the River Thames and shared our findings with stakeholders to help everyone work together to sustain and improve the City of London’s historic riverside.”
- Tim Munday, Environmental Resilience Officer, City of London Corporation
To read more inspiring stories of how different organisations and government are using GIS to challenge climate change and make a difference, click here.
Share your story
If you have a story to tell, we'd love to hear it. Send us an email detailing the Climate Change challenge you have addressed and how you have used GIS to improve this. Please include ‘Climate Change Stories’ in your subject line and we will be in touch!
Other Ways to Contact Us
Office Locations