Resilience Case Study: River

This research project examined the flood resilience of a park along the principal river system in Houston.  The study focused on understanding how elements of the design and construction of a 160 acre section of Buffalo Bayou Park contributed to a high level of resilience during and after catastrophic flood events like Hurricane Harvey, which brought heavy rains, increased water velocity, and extended submergence.  Findings included construction details that allowed $2.75million in damages and maintenance to be avoided, the importance of submergible custom fixtures and furnishings, the best slope stabilization type, and the prevention of 84,000 gallons of runoff annually.  Researchers utilized high water elevations, geospatial datasets, an on-site survey, and ecosystem services models.  The investigation was conducted with researchers from University of Texas at Arlington and funded by the Landscape Architecture Foundation’s Landscape Performance Series through a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Works grant.  The study follows up on an earlier LAF study on Buffalo Bayou Promenade and continues SWA’s work on post-occupancy assessment for the sixth year.