Abstract
Climate change makes flooding an increasingly frequent threat in urban and peri-rural landscapes. This project investigates the Lee Valley in East London, a historically significant green belt that has been a natural boundary since 1829, and explores its potential to adapt to future flooding challenges.
As the lowest point in East London, the Lee Valley faces significant risks. Flood incidents are projected to increase 12-fold over the next century. The design leverages the region’s materials to create a dynamic, responsive green belt that mediates between urban and peri-rural zones. Interventions include raised earth embankments, gabions, and elevated walkways, stabilising ground conditions, mitigating flooding impacts, and promoting ecological succession.
Key features of the design include flood-height waymarking, which reflects changing water levels over time, and multi-functional embankments that support human access, vegetation protection, and species habitats.
