Retrofit for Enhanced Building Resilience in Flood Vulnerable Settlements: A Quantitative Review

Abstract

The global history of flood is full of documented cases of massive devastation and havocs to the built
environment. In recent times, global warming has led to climate change resulting in increased frequency of flooding.
The magnitude, scope and impact of these flood events on the built environment cannot be overemphasized. This
research is aimed at reviewing flood events in Nigeria and their impact on buildings to generate data for adaptive
measures through retrofitting to enhance building resilience. The measures shall serve as framework for
Architects/Designers in designing flood resilient buildings for impact mitigation in vulnerable settlements. A search
of related literature review was conducted on related literature to provide background, secondary quantitative data
and status of research in the area of flood architecture, building resilience and retrofitting for flood mitigation. The
research reviewed and used quantitative secondary data from International Agencies/organizations, Federal, State
and Local Government agencies of Nigeria, Non-governmental Organizations and other stakeholders. Findings from
this study showed a total disregard for flood building resilience (FBR) need in vulnerable settlements such as flood
plains, low-lying areas, blighted zones, slums and areas near water bodies. Results are presented in detailed charts,
figures, plates and tables. The research concluded that all buildings in vulnerable settlements be so designed as to
give the buildings a high level of resilience to major damages/collapse during and after flood incidents and where
such input were not put in place, building should be retrofitted to adapt to flooding for impact mitigation and
enhanced resilience.