A possible solution is the concept of amphibious houses.

amphibious homes are

built in a way that allows them to rise up with the flood waters. The use of amphibious

construction systems could open up development opportunities. The pressing demand for

new housing will led to a situation where houses are being built in high-risk flood zones

at almost double the rate as outside of flood plains. Developments should be planned in

order to withstand the increasing threats of climate change. Additionally, inappropriate

developments in high risk flooding areas should be avoided, however where it is deemed

necessary, measures should be put in place to mitigate the risk without increasing the risk

elsewhere Amphibious housing developments could meet the criteria set out by

providing an appropriate, sustainable and responsible solution to building in flood prone

areas. This could offer new opportunities to utilize land for development, which would

have been unsuitable using traditional construction techniques.

https://www.groundsure.com/blogs/amphibious-houses
A buoyant foundation is a flood-mitigation technology specifically designed to retrofit an

existing structure, allowing it to rise with water during a flood and return safely back to the

ground when floods subside. This strategy works with, instead of resisting, changing water levels

and is an entirely passive system that keeps a home safe from the destructive forces of

floodwater. It ensures that possessions stay safe and residents don’t suffer prolonged

displacement.

A buoyant foundation retrofit is ideal for any house that is already slightly elevated and

supported on short piers in areas that do not face high velocity flooding. The design of a buoyant

foundation uses three simple elements that can be easily built using readily available materials:

buoyancy blocks to provide flotation, vertical guidance posts to guide the movement of the house

and a structural frame to tie these to the house’s existing structure.

While amphibious construction is a new approach to housing in Vietnam, it is welcomed by

residents as a viable solution to destructive flooding, one that combines local architectural

typologies on land and water.

http://www.bestclimatepractices.org/practices/amphibious-housing-a-best-practice-for-climate-

change-adaptation/
References

1. HM Government. (2015). National flood resilience review. Retrieved

from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flood-resilience-
review
2. Strangfeld, P., & Stopp, H. (2014). Floating houses: an adaption strategy for flood
preparedness in times of global change. In Proverbs & C. A. Brebbia.
(Eds.), Flood recovery, innovation and response IV (pp. 277-286). Southampton:
WIT press.
3. Spowart, N. (2015). How floating Dutch homes simply rise with the
floodwater. Retrieved from: http://www.thenational.scot/world/how-floating-
dutch-homes-simply-rise-with-the-floodwater.11797
4. The European climate adaptation platform. (2015). Amphibious housing in
Maasbommel, the Netherlands. Retrieved from: http://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/case-studies/amphibious-housing-in-maasbommel-
the-netherlands
5. (2014). UK’s “first amphibious house” can float on floodwater like a boat in a
dock. Retrieved from: http://www.dezeen.com/2014/10/15/baca-architects-
amphibious-house-floating-floodwater/
6. Wainwright, O. (2016). Like a shimmering sea creature’: Britain’s first
amphibious homes. Retrieved
from: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/feb/02/baca-architects-
pioneers-of-amphibious-housebuilding-flood-defences
7. Amphibious homes, Maasbommel, The Netherlands. Retrieved
from: http://www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/amphibious-homes-
maasbommel-the-netherlands/
8. Baca architects. (2014). Life with water – amphibious houses. Retrieved
from: http://www.baca.uk.com/index.php/living-on-water/amphibious-house
9. Department for communities and local government (2012). National planning
policy framework Retrieved
from: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi
le/6077/2116950.pdf
10. Royal institute of British architects. (2015). Formosa-the UK’s first amphibious
house. Retrieved
from:https://www.architecture.com/FindAnArchitect/ArchitectPractices/BACA/Pr
ojects/Formosa-TheUK39;sFirstAmphibiousHouse-132908.aspx