Integrating Flood-Resistant Design and Construction Strategies in Sustainable Homes in the Central Valley: Effective Approaches for New and Existing Structures
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: As climate change intensifies, California’s Central Valley faces unprecedented weather events, including increased flood risks, leaving homeowners vulnerable, especially those in disadvantaged communities. This paper, based on a master’s thesis, examines effective strategies for integrating flood-resistant design and construction practices into new homes and retrofit solutions for existing homes by assessing local flood vulnerabilities. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in an extensive literature review, this study combines a homeowner survey with qualitative interviews with local design, construction, and development professionals in the residential sector. Insights from the survey informed the interview design, enabling a deeper exploration of challenges specific to the region. Survey results revealed homeowners' past experiences and future concerns, while interviews with industry professionals identified practical and cost-effective flood mitigation strategies and retrofitting measures for existing homes. By bridging the gap between technical industry practices and accessible guidance, this research supports evidence-based policies and guidelines, and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11, to foster safe, resilient, and sustainable communities in flood-prone areas of the Central Valley.
Source: CIB Conferences
Authors: Matthew Gomes, Vivien Luo, Manideep Tummalapudi
Institution: California State University, Fresno
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4411472080