Addressing Sea Level Rise

There has been much talk in recent years about global warming and sea level rise, but just what does it mean for British Columbia? Studies conducted on behalf of the BC Ministry of Environment have indicated that there is a potential sea level increase of one metre by the year 2100 (click here to read the complete study). 

Being located on the waterfront, planning for sea level rise is a critical consideration at Harbourside. With the help of our consultants, Concert is proud to be one of the first developers in the province to have studied sea level rise by conducting an in-depth, site specific study. In collaboration with the City of North Vancouver, Concert has agreed upon a “flood construction level” of 5.25 metres to protect against possible sea level rise and ensure the long-term preservation of value. 

While the simplest and least expensive option would be to build a dike right along the waterfront to create an immediate barrier, this would decrease accessibility to the waterfront. In light of that, the team formulated the following multi-faceted strategy for Harbourside to not only preserve but enhance waterfront access:

• Terracing along the shoreline in conjunction with elevated buildings and roads will provide a first line of defence. Click here to see a cross section diagram which illustrates how terracing will be utilized. 

• A continuous concrete band will be integrated within the park space to serve as a dike to mitigate damage to buildings and roads should the water level exceed the terracing. Click here to see a diagram of the concrete band in context. 

While sea level rise at a level that would penetrate these barriers is highly unlikely, Concert is proud to be among the first to be addressing these concerns with an eye toward long-term sustainability.