Associate Savino & Miller Design Studio North Miami, 33161, Florida
Sea level rise is forcing us to change the way we design our cities. In South Florida, streets are usually built with asphalt with a centralized stormwater drainage system that sends polluted runoff into Biscayne Bay. Many municipalities are planning to raise their existing streets immediately to adapt to the 50-year flood projections, causing major drainage and harmonization issues. Our proposal is to raise streets incrementally each projected 25-year life cycle using locally manufactured permeable pavers that reduce carbon footprint and stormwater runoff while increasing water storage. The same pavers can be reclaimed each time. With this approach, redevelopment and street-to-building harmonization can be phased-in gradually, along with adjacent buildings and landscapes. As cities grow and sea level rises, we need innovative strategies that allow our communities to thrive in practical yet sustainable ways.