Abbey Abramson

Climate flood control infrastructure integrity Concrete That Crumbles: Infrastructure Integrity Under Climate Stress Why engineering integrity is a life-safety issue Picture this: a family living by the river wakes up at midnight to the sound of rushing water. Panic sets in as they evacuate, chilled by rising floodwaters and uncertainty. Their home, once a safe haven, is now threatened by both natural disasters and hidden infrastructure flaws. In emergencies, survival hinges on details often ignored: rebar spacing, concrete strength, riprap thickness, culvert size, pump capacity, and whether the O&M crew greased a bearing last week. Climate change is driving heavier downpours and more frequent floods (IPCC, 2023). When these hazards meet weak, poorly maintained assets, manageable disasters turn deadly. In short, corners cut today become deaths tomorrow (IPCC, 2021; 2023). To navigate these risks, this chapter first translates "engineering integrity" into plain language. ...

  Climate change flood control structures Case Study: Philippines flood-control structures—substandard materials and duplicate contracts In 2024–25, the Philippines confronted an extraordinary scandal over flood-control projects. Following internal and external reviews, media and official statements alleged ghost projects, substandard works, contractor monopolies, and copy-paste budgets across hundreds of contracts. While these events highlight a significant case of corruption, they also represent a missed opportunity for the nation to pursue resilient development and infrastructure growth. The improper conduct not only led to immediate negative consequences, such as a cabinet resignation, procurement suspensions, and blacklisting moves (Reuters, September 2025; GMA News, September 2025; ABS-CBN, October 2025) but also detracted from long-term potential improvements in disaster resilience, economic stability, and community safety. By framing this episode as a significant loss in ac...

  Green roofs for urban heat islands solution Urban Nature-Based Solutions Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including heat waves , flooding, and air pollution. Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer innovative and sustainable strategies to enhance urban resilience, improve public health, and support biodiversity. By integrating green spaces, urban forests, and water management systems into city planning, these solutions can mitigate climate risks while providing social and economic co-benefits. This section explores the implementation and impact of urban NbS, focusing on green roofs, urban forests, and rain gardens. Green Roofs and Walls for Cooling and Air Purification Green roofs and walls, often called living infrastructure, are vital components of urban NbS. They involve cultivating vegetation on building rooftops and walls to address urban heat islands and improve air quality. Mitigating Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) is an essential aspect of...