Should there be a longer-term vision for the Thames Gateway? Should we curb future development in the Thames Estuary and learn to embrace flooding?

As part of a broader programme of work by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) looking at the architectural response to climate change, Building Futures, the RIBA's think tank, will be unveiling its latest publication, Living with Water: Visions of a Flooded Future, on Wednesday 13 June 2007.

Living with Water: Visions of a Flooded Future considers the future of the development of the Thames Gateway and Estuary, looking at the likely impact flooding and increased flood risk will have, and the implications for design. The report aims to encourage further debate on the important issues of design, land-use and flood risk.

The publication brings together five essays from prominent commentators and futurologists. They each provide new understanding and insight into the discussion surrounding our evolving relationship with water, and highlight the necessity to inject greater long-term vision into the development of the Thames Gateway. The contributors are: Alan Cherry of Countryside Properties; David Price and Reg Ward (former CEO of the London Docklands Development Corporation); Kees van der Sande and Kiran Curtis of KCA Architects; Kim Wilkie of Kim Wilkie Associates; and Glen Moorley and Paul Ruff of Westminster University.

Speaking about the report Jack Pringle, RIBA President, said:

“We all know that if climate change is not effectively mitigated flooding will be a real danger to one extent or another. Yet we need to build 300,000 new houses a year and the low lying Thames Gateway is an attractive site for new communities in the South East. This report is a challenging and innovative piece of work that we hope will make people think and decide what we really should be doing with the enormous opportunity that the Gateway represents.

“Flooding already affects millions of households in the UK, and will only increase in importance in the coming years. This report shows that applying a long-term vision to London's backyard can bring enormous benefits – dealing with problems rather than ignoring them and making our communities more inviting and stimulating places to live while allowing us to prepare for and protect against the rising waters that surround us.”

Dickon Robinson, Chair of Building Futures, added:

“There are not enough answers to the questions regarding whether the development of the Thames Gateway is ecologically or sustainably viable. We hope that Building Futures can begin to stimulate architects and others to begin to answer the questions that climate change is posing us. This report is only the first stage of a longer term project. The next stage of the programme will be to develop and launch design guidelines for architects working on projects in flood-risk areas.”

The unveiling of the Building Futures Living with Water report will take place at a launch event on Wednesday 13 June at 2.30-5.30pm, at the RIBA. The report contributors will be speaking at the event, along with Jane Milne of the Association Of British Insurers, David Murphy of the Environment Agency, and Dickon Robinson, Chair of Building Futures.

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Notes to editors:

1. Building Futures is the RIBA's think tank on issues affecting the future of the built environment. It was established to create space for discussion about the needs of society from our built environment and, consequently, the built environment professions in 20 years and beyond. The group aims to highlight and promote those working with new technologies and developing new ideas, which will contribute to the future of our towns and cities and address society's changing demands over the coming years. How and where will we be living in 50 or 100 years' time? What technologies will architects be using to design new buildings and what materials will be specified? How will the inevitable new technologies affect the buildings and places we use every day? The Building Futures programme is ongoing and includes exhibitions, debates, events and research activities. For more information visit www.buildingfutures.org.uk

2. Architecture Week 2007 (15-24 June) showcases over 350 events featuring celebrated architects and celebrities, ranging from opportunities to see inside new buildings to exhibitions, talks and tours. For more information on Architecture Week events, visit www.architectureweek.org.uk or email archweek@artscouncil.org.uk . Organised by a partnership of Arts Council England, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architecture Centre Network, Architecture Week is the annual national celebration of contemporary architecture.

For more press information, a copy of the Living with Water report, or to book a press place at the launch event, contact

Melanie Mayfield in the RIBA Press Office Tel: 020 7307 3662 Email: melanie.mayfield@inst.riba.org