Peterborough and other cities face growing flood risks as sea levels rise and land sinks

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1. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2056380/10-cities-underwater-2050-you - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.ft.com/content/fc93b7c1-edf8-4b8a-8ba8-246c1cb3cbd4 - A recent study employing radar satellite data has revealed that 25 of America's 28 largest cities are experiencing land subsidence, with Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas showing the highest rates—over 4mm annually, and up to 10mm in some areas. Subsidence, primarily driven by excessive groundwater extraction and heavy urban development, weakens infrastructure, increases flood risks, and decreases aquifer capacity. While cities like Jakarta and Tehran face more severe slumping—up to 31cm annually—the slow pace in places like Houston can mislead about the severity, as localized hotspots pose significant infrastructure hazards. Human-induced subsidence is a growing global issue, intensified by climate change, urban sprawl, and rising water demand. Cities such as Lagos and Mexico City also experience subsidence, exacerbating structural vulnerabilities. Though natural factors like glacial isostatic adjustment contribute, the dominant causes are human-related. Researchers advocate mitigation efforts, including improved water management and development restrictions in vulnerable areas. Historical examples, such as Tokyo and Osaka, show that proactive measures can successfully curb urban sinking.
3. https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/14/denver-sinking-nature-study - A new peer-reviewed study published in Nature reveals that Denver is gradually sinking, with approximately 98% of the city's land losing elevation at an average rate of over 2 millimeters per year from 2015 to 2021. Though slight, this ongoing land subsidence can have long-term impacts, including damaged foundations, deformed roads, and weakened flood defenses—risks that are amplified by intensifying extreme weather due to climate change. Interestingly, the study attributes Denver's subsidence largely to a natural phenomenon called glacial isostatic adjustment, where land slowly sinks in response to the melting of Ice Age glaciers. Despite the gradual sinking, Denver's infrastructure remains largely safe for now, with only a small portion of the city in high-risk zones. However, researchers stress the importance of incorporating subsidence data into urban planning and climate adaptation efforts, such as revising zoning laws, installing flood mitigation infrastructure, and designing long-term resilient public works. The findings are part of a broader analysis indicating that 25 of the 28 largest U.S. cities are experiencing similar sinking, affecting over 33 million people. Researchers emphasize the need to treat subsidence as a significant and ongoing threat.
4. https://time.com/6212215/rising-seas-property-taxes-coastal-communities/ - As sea levels rise, coastal properties are at risk of being submerged, posing a significant financial threat to homeowners, mortgage lenders, and insurers. Crucially, the loss of property tax revenue will heavily impact public services such as education and fire departments. A Climate Central report highlights that land the size of 75% of New Jersey along the U.S. coast may be partially or fully submerged in 30 years, affecting nearly 650,000 tax parcels totaling 4.4 million acres, with significant revenue losses. By 2100, impacted parcels and buildings will more than double, with $5 billion to $7 billion in potential tax losses by 2050 in states like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. Coastal communities, especially in Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas, face the greatest risk, leading to infrastructure repair costs, property value depreciation, and loss of tax base as residents relocate. Despite some lands becoming submerged, property taxes do not always adjust accordingly, and reconstruction activities often continue along vulnerable coastlines. Proactive measures and public discourse on property value and flood risks are urged to mitigate the impending challenges.
5. https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/128662/top-6-cities-disappearing-underwater - According to Climate Central projections, by 2050 all of southern Vietnam may find itself underwater, affecting almost a quarter of the country’s population (20 million people) who inhabit this area, including Ho Chi Minh City. The city, where 8 million people live, is the economic center of Vietnam and has many historical and cultural attractions that may be lost forever. In Thailand, about 10% of the population lives in areas that may be underwater by 2050. The country’s capital, Bangkok, is particularly at risk with projections indicating that by 2050 it will be almost totally submerged. It has suffered due to floods in the past as the city is laced with canals that make it more vulnerable. Bangkok is not only the commercial center of Thailand but also home to a royal castle and beautiful ancient temples that represent the historical heritage of this Asian state. Around 17% of Bangladesh is forecast to be submerged by 2050, depriving 20 million people of their homes. This includes the capital, Dhaka, the largest city in the country, which is already threatened by annual coastal floods that will increase over the next decades. Dhaka is home to almost 9 million people including migrants from Myanmar (Rohingya Muslim community). Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has already suffered due to excessive flooding that has devastated the city, and, according to estimates, the city will be totally submerged by 2050. The situation is so drastic that the government has decided to relocate 10 million people 100 miles away which will take about 10 years and will cost around US$33 billion. Mumbai, the richest Indian city and the financial capital of India, is also one of the most populous cities in the world and is home to 20 million people. Scientists project that much of it will be submerged by 2050 as it was built on a series of islands that may soon be wiped out. The research suggests that India should be prepared to relocate the city’s inhabitants elsewhere in the country in the near future.
6. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/ng-interactive/2017/nov/03/three-degree-world-cities-drowned-global-warming - Shanghai, China: 17.5 million people affected. Shanghai is completely gone – I’d have to move to Tibet! says resident Wang Liubin, when he is shown projections for the city after 3C of global warming. When it comes to flooding, the coastal city is one of the world’s most vulnerable. Now one of the world’s biggest ports, the former fishing village is bordered by the Yangtze river in the north and divided through the middle by the Huangpu river; the municipality involves several islands, two long coastlines, shipping ports, and miles of canals, rivers, and waterways. In 2012, a report from a team of UK and Dutch scientists declared Shanghai the most vulnerable major city in the world to serious flooding, based on factors such as numbers of people living close to the coastline, time needed to recover from flooding, and measures to prevent floodwater. According to Climate Central projections, 17.5 million people could be displaced by rising waters if global temperatures increase by 3C. Projections show the vast majority of the city could eventually be submerged in water, including much of the downtown area, landmarks such as the Lujiazui skyline and the historical Bund, both airports, and the entirety of its outlying Chongming Island. Since 2012, the government has been making steady inroads to tackle the threat, including building China’s largest deepwater drainage system beneath the Suzhou Creek waterway, made up of 15km of pipes to drain rainwater across a 58 sq km area. It has also rolled out a 40bn yuan (£5bn) River Flood Discharge project which will stretch for 120km between Lake Taihu and the Huangpu river to try and mitigate the risk of the upstream lake flooding. Flood prevention walls are being built along the waterfront – in places so high the river is blocked from view – and 200km more are promised across the city’s outlying districts. Flood controls have been put in place along the famous Bund waterfront, where the walkway has been raised to help counter a flood risk, as well as a series of water controls and dams.
7. https://www.roughmaps.com/lifestyle/20-places-likely-be-underwater-end-century - New Orleans, USA: Due to urban sprawl and population growth, The Crescent City is sinking. This coupled with increased flooding and rising sea levels mean large portions of the city are likely to be underwater by 2050. Venice, Italy: If you haven't made a trip to this romantic city yet, it may be now or never. Despite its sophisticated system of flood barriers, Venice is likely to be submerged by 2150. Alexandria, Egypt: Egypt's coastal city of Alexandria is under threat of being swallowed by the sea. Even the UN's most optimistic predictions conclude a third of the city will be uninhabitable by 2050. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Melting glaciers and ice sheets are threatening to submerge Bangladesh's capital city as well as much of the nation by 2050. Dhaka is two meters below sea level, making it most at danger. Jakarta, Indonesia: One-third of Jakarta is likely to be underwater by the year 2050, experts warn. Indonesia's government is working against the clock and spending billions of dollars on anti-flood measures to save the city. London, UK: Within a decade, experts predict significant portions of east London will be underwater. At any point, the Thames barrier could be breached by the rising sea levels, resulting in a mega-flood. Sydney, Australia: Thermal expansion and melting ice sheets are causing Sydney's beaches to erode. Scientists predict the area's sea level to rise one and a half to over three feet by 2100 which would swallow up coastal ecosystems and properties.