In order to get a sense of the geographic extent of flood-risks and flood vulnerabilities, the team approached the region through the framework of urban metabolism. This framework focuses on analyzing the inputs, consumption and outputs of various resource flows, as well as the inherent spatial implications these flows. Research questions guiding the development of this investigation included: What biotic and abiotic flows are coming in and out of the Fraser River Delta? What landscapes and infrastructures and implicated by these flows? How will sea level rise and river flooding impact these landscapes and flows?
Within this context, the team examined seven metabolic flows in the region: 1) soil and sediments, 2) people, 3) cargo, 4) food, 5) energy, 6) water, and 7) biota. As a means to communicate the dynamic nature of these flows, both spatially and temporally, animation was chosen as the preferred output over conventional static maps. This format also has the benefit of being more accessible to communicate the complex and interdependent relations between flooding and critical infrastructure systems to a range of different stakeholders. The animations specifically aimed to illustrate the notion of cascading effects, in which a series of secondary effects are triggered as a result of a flood event. The animation that focused on the topic water, for example, narrates how in the event of a major flood, sewage could back up into homes, businesses or essential services outside of the area directly affected by flooding. Or even worse, power outage or overtopping could result in untreated sewage to directly enter rivers and water sources.
The animations also identify opportunities to structure new relationships between resource flows and flood management. As argued by Sijmons (2014): “if we see the city as our natural ecology, analyze its structure and metabolism, and understand and use the process of its material flows, we can make the city more resilient and thus act to contribute to a more sustainable future world.” Next phases of the work will investigate how and where flows of water, waste and food can be recalibrated individually, and as a system, to create positive social, ecological and economic changes in the Fraser River Delta.
| Metabolic Flows | Research Questions |
| Sediments + Soil | What are the various soil characteristics in the region? Which areas in Vancouver are at risk of liquefaction? How much sediment is currently dredged? Is it contaminated? Can this be reused to nourish tidal wetlands or eroding beaches? What happens to clean construction rubble dug up as part of Metro Vancouver’s ongoing construction boom? Can this material be used to create coastal landforms to attenuate waves or reinforce existing dikes? |
| People | How have people historically inhabited the delta? What are the trends of population growth and migration in the region? Which groups, communities and essential services are most at risk of potential flooding? How is tourism linked to water-based activities or landscapes? How can new plans for public transit, urban development, and services be incorporated with flood control? |
| Cargo | Where are industries and associated logistics networks located and what is their importance historically, regionally, nationally and internationally? Which logistics-related infrastructures (airport, port, railway, highways, etc.) are vulnerable to flooding? Can any proposed logistics expansions double as flood management? |
| Food | What is the importance of agriculture in the region? What is being farmed and where? What are the implications of nutrient runoff? Which flood control infrastructures are key to agricultural operations? What are the implications of sea level rise / river flooding on agricultural production? Are there opportunities to introduce flood-resilient forms of agriculture and multi-functional land uses? |
| Energy | Where are critical energy sources and sinks located in the region? Which parts of the energy infrastructure are at risk of a potential earthquake/flooding? Which essential services will potentially be impacted by flooding and associated power outage? What and where are opportunities to integrate energy generation into adaptation projects? |
| Water | How is our stormwater and sewage managed and treated? Where are CSO outflows, and how will climate change and SLR effect their functioning? Where are the sewage treatment plants in the region, and what happens to the sewage system in the event of flooding? How can stormwater management/sewer replacement/water treatment projects be coupled with flood adaptation? |
| Biota | What and where are different ecosystems located in the region? Which ones are sensitive, endangered, and/or at risk of sea level rise? What ecosystems are key to the Pacific Flyway? Which species are at risk and what are their habitat needs? Where are the lost streams? What is the relationship between tourism and ecology? How can stormwater management/flood adaptation become a driver to enhance biodiversity and access to nature? |