Harbour rising: Halifax’s harbourfront in 2100, come hell or high-water
As for a bad day, original data analysis with help from Dalhousie
University’s GIS (geographic information system) Centre found future
extreme storms could whip up the surface of Halifax Harbour more than
five metres above the current high-water level, which would bring water
into an area along the coastline that today contains more than 1,700
buildings. This unprecedented swell potentially threatens nearly $1.94
billion in today’s property values, and could also cost untold billions
more. (See interactive map of at-risk properties below, or get larger version here.)
University’s GIS (geographic information system) Centre found future
extreme storms could whip up the surface of Halifax Harbour more than
five metres above the current high-water level, which would bring water
into an area along the coastline that today contains more than 1,700
buildings. This unprecedented swell potentially threatens nearly $1.94
billion in today’s property values, and could also cost untold billions
more. (See interactive map of at-risk properties below, or get larger version here.)
However, despite Halifax Regional Municipality’s proximity to the
rising sea, its legislators are setting its future vulnerability in
concrete. Millions of dollars continue to flow into raising the Halifax
skyline, while policy makers are failing to seriously plan for these
rising waters.