Integrating Flood-Resistant Design and Construction Strategies in Sustainable Homes in the Central Valley: Effective Approaches for New and Existing Structures

As climate change intensifies, California’s Central Valley faces unprecedented weather events, including increased flood risks, leaving homeowners vulnerable, especially those in disadvantaged communities. This paper, based on a master’s thesis, examines effective strategies for integrating flood-resistant design and construction practices into new homes and retrofit solutions for existing homes by assessing local flood vulnerabilities. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in an extensive literature review, this study combines a homeowner survey with qualitative interviews with local design, construction, and development professionals in the residential sector. Insights from the survey informed the interview design, enabling a deeper exploration of challenges specific to the region. Survey results revealed homeowners' past experiences and future concerns, while interviews with industry professionals identified practical and cost-effective flood mitigation strategies and retrofitting measures for existing homes. By bridging the gap between technical industry practices and accessible guidance, this research supports evidence-based policies and guidelines, and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11, to foster safe, resilient, and sustainable communities in flood-prone areas of the Central Valley.