Construction industry at the center of future flood protection
The increase in heavy rainfall poses new challenges for Switzerland. Surface runoff already causes the majority of flood damage today. The Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks advocates an active role for the construction industry in order to make flood protection fit for the future with property protection measures and technical innovation.
The intensity of heavy precipitation increases as temperatures rise. Warmer air stores more moisture, which can be discharged in a short time. Local thunderstorms in particular trigger massive surface runoff that cannot seep away or be absorbed by the sewage system. Cellars, underground garages and streets are thus regularly flooded, even far away from rivers or lakes.
According to analyses by the Mobiliar Lab, 62% of all buildings in Switzerland are already potentially affected. Two thirds of all flood damage in the last ten years is due to surface runoff and the trend is continuing upwards, especially in urban areas.
Structural measures with major benefits
The key lies in prevention. Property protection measures such as raised light wells, sloping ramps at underground garage entrances, water-resistant building materials or targeted terrain adjustments prevent damage and offer an exceptionally good cost-benefit ratio. Many cantons provide financial support for such investments.
Building technology also holds considerable potential. In future, intelligent systems could use environmental data and precise weather forecasts to automatically activate mobile protective elements. A flexible addition where permanent structural solutions cannot be implemented.
Construction industry as a key player
The construction industry is involved in every construction project in Switzerland and is therefore indispensable for the widespread implementation of such protective measures. Only through close cooperation between planners, architects, construction companies and building technicians can decentralized solutions be implemented on a large scale.
The Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks therefore calls on the construction industry to play an active role. Not just as an implementer of contracts, but as a strategic partner in the fight against the consequences of climate change. With innovative strength, practical experience and responsibility for the built environment, the industry can make a significant contribution to ensuring that flood damage remains insurable in the future.