Stilt-Grid Urbanism: A Framework for Flood-Resilient Modular Expansion in High-Water Table Terrains

Otuogha Victory Mathias; Lawson Tamunoiminabo

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no4.2026.pg268.282

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Stilt-Grid Urbanism: A Framework for Flood-Resilient Modular Expansion in High-Water Table Terrains

Otuogha Victory Mathias, Lawson Tamunoiminabo

Abstract

As climate change intensifies hydrological extremes, coastal and riverine cities face unprecedented challenges in accommodating urban growth while managing flood risk. This paper proposes "Stilt-Grid Urbanism", an integrated framework combining elevated modular construction with grid-based urban planning to enable resilient expansion in high-water table terrains. Drawing on comparative analysis of vernacular stilt architecture from Southeast Asia, the Niger Delta, and contemporary floating urban developments in the Netherlands, this study develops design principles for climate-adaptive neighbourhoods. The framework integrates three core components, which are elevated stilt infrastructure systems that accommodate seasonal and extreme flooding, modular building typologies enabling phased, adaptive urban expansion and permeable grid planning that manages water flow while maintaining urban connectivity. Analysis of case studies, including Bangkok's vertical flood coping, Aiyetoro's disappearing stilt settlements, and Rotterdam's floating neighbourhoods, reveals that stilt-grid configurations can reduce flood damage by up to 18% per 50cm of elevation while supporting social continuity during inundation events. The study concludes that stilt-grid urbanism offers a transformative approach for climate-vulnerable regions, though implementation requires addressing governance gaps, infrastructure integration, and community acceptance. Recommendations include developing hybrid vernacular- technological systems, establishing elevation-based zoning codes, and creating modular construction standards for flood-resilient urbanism.

Keywords

Stilt-grid urbanismflood resiliencemodular constructionclimate adaptationhigh-water tableelevated infrastructureurban expansion

References

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Stilt-Grid Urbanism: A Framework for Flood-Resilient Modular Expansion in High-Water Table Terrains

Abstract

Keywords

References

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