Evolution of Strategic Flood Risk Management in Support of Social Justice, Ecosystem Health, and Resilience

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Sayers
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Policy And Planning

Throughout history, flood management practice has evolved in response to flood events. This heuristic approach has yielded some important incremental shifts in both policy and planning (from the need to plan at a catchment scale to the recognition that flooding arises from multiple sources and that defenses, no matter how reliable, fail). Progress, however, has been painfully slow and sporadic, but a new, more strategic, approach is now emerging. A strategic approach does not, however, simply sustain an acceptable level of flood defence. Strategic Flood Risk Management (SFRM) is an approach that relies upon an adaptable portfolio of measures and policies to deliver outcomes that are socially just (when assessed against egalitarian, utilitarian, and Rawlsian principles), contribute positively to ecosystem services, and promote resilience. In doing so, SFRM offers a practical policy and planning framework to transform our understanding of risk and move toward a flood-resilient society. A strategic approach to flood management involves much more than simply reducing the chance of damage through the provision of “strong” structures and recognizes adaptive management as much more than simply “wait and see.” SFRM is inherently risk based and implemented through a continuous process of review and adaptation that seeks to actively manage future uncertainty, a characteristic that sets it apart from the linear flood defense planning paradigm based upon a more certain view of the future. In doing so, SFRM accepts there is no silver bullet to flood issues and that people and economies cannot always be protected from flooding. It accepts flooding as an important ecosystem function and that a legitimate ecosystem service is its contribution to flood risk management. Perhaps most importantly, however, SFRM enables the inherent conflicts as well as opportunities that characterize flood management choices to be openly debated, priorities to be set, and difficult investment choices to be made.

scholarly journals Move from Resilience Conceptualization to Resilience Enhancement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangwei Huang ◽  
Juan Fan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Mathematical Formulation ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Flood Disaster ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Important Message

This chapter provides an analysis of various resilience definitions and depicts the differences in definition between engineering, ecological and socio-ecological resilience in an easy-to-understand graphic representation. It also articulates commons and differences between conventional flood risk management and resilience-based flood management and presents a mathematical formulation to facilitate resilience discussion. Furthermore, it highlights some studies and initiatives towards the operationalization of the resilience concept in flood disaster management practice. The most important message this chapter is intended to deliver is that resilience is not just about bouncing back. Indeed, it should be enhanced to bounce forward.

scholarly journals River science and flood risk management policy in England

2021 ◽  
pp. 030913332110363
Author(s):  
Malcolm Newson ◽  
John Lewin ◽  
Paul Raven
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Risk Management Policy

We review the role of science in shaping river flood risk management policy in England, highlighting the relatively recent influence of fluvial geomorphology, river ecology, climate change and ecosystem services in evidence-based decision-making. These disciplines, together with an historical perspective, catchment-scale delivery, integrated land and water management planning, and adaptive management are crucial in managing future flood risk. A central tenet of previous land drainage policy was a professional (and public) mindset about flood ‘prevention’ solutions for river flooding. As a direct consequence, more than 8,500 km of rivers were ‘improved’ by mechanical dredging during the 1930s to 1980s; habitats were destroyed, but flooding continued. A more enlightened, long-term approach has since evolved in response to environmental imperatives and lessons learnt from several major floods during the last two ‘flood-rich’ decades. River science, local knowledge and land management incentives allow more natural processes to be restored in river catchments. The natural capital and ecosystem service benefits of river systems are now better understood and quantified, whereas the importance of sediment transport is fully recognised, with sources and sinks treated more holistically than in the past. Evaluating the outcomes of innovative runoff and river management techniques from both physical and socioeconomic perspectives will determine the success of a catchment-based approach. We highlight some of the uncertainties, nuances and assumptions associated with recent initiatives such as Natural Flood Management, Citizen Science and Flood Action Groups. Further integration between policy, strategic planning and local delivery is needed to anticipate and respond to climate and catchment land use changes. River science will play a crucial part in identifying the most effective way of improving flood management and in a way that helps to deliver the recovery of nature. It will inform adaptive management to cope with climate change.

scholarly journals The evolution of climate change guidance for fluvial flood risk management in England

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas S Reynard ◽  
Alison L Kay ◽  
Molly Anderson ◽  
Bill Donovan ◽  
Caroline Duckworth
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Floods are one of the biggest natural hazards to society, and there is increasing concern about the potential impacts of climate change on flood occurrence and magnitude. Furthermore, flood risk is likely to increase in the future not just through increased flood occurrence, but also through socio-economic changes, such as increasing population. The extent to which adaptation measures can offset this increased risk will depend on the level of future climate change, but there exists an urgent need for information on the potential impacts of climate change on floods, so that these can be accounted for by flood management authorities and local planners aiming to reduce flood risk. Agencies across the UK have been pro-active in providing such guidance for many years and in refining it as the science of climate change and hydrological impacts has developed. The history of this guidance for fluvial flood risk in England is presented and discussed here, including the recent adoption of a regional risk-based approach. Such an approach could be developed and applied to flood risk management in other countries, and to other sectors affected by climate change.

scholarly journals Integrated methodologies for flood risk management practice in European pilot sites

2008 ◽  
pp. 837-838
Author(s):  
J Schanze ◽  
P Bakonyi ◽  
M Borga ◽  
B Gouldby ◽  
M Marchand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Flood Risk Management

scholarly journals Comparative analysis and implications of sustainable Flood Risk Management in four front-end countries: The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, & Japan 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith Ka Shun Chan ◽  
Liang Emlyn Yang ◽  
Gordon Mitchell ◽  
Nigel Wright ◽  
Mingfu Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
Flood Risk Management

Abstract. Sustainable flood risk management (SFRM) has become popular since the 1980s. Many governmental and non-governmental organisations have been keen on implementing the SFRM strategies by integrating social, ecological and economic themes into their flood risk management (FRM) practices. However, justifications for SFRM are still embryonic and it is not yet clear whether this concept is influencing the current policies in different countries. This paper reviews the past and present flood management approaches and experiences from flood defence to FRM in four developed countries with the aim of highlighting lessons for developing mega deltas. The paper explored recent strategies such as “Making Space for Water, PPS 25, and NPPF” in the UK; “Room for Rivers” in the Netherlands which was promoted to cope with flooding, integrate FRM with ideas on sustainability, and deliver good FRM practice for next generations. The United States has also established a sound National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and Japan has developed an advanced flood warning and evacuation contingency system to prepare for climatic extremes. These case studies showed some good lessons to achieve long term SFRM direction to deliver flood management practices with social-economic and environmental concerns. Most of developing coastal megacities especially in Asia are still heavily reliant on traditional hard-engineering approach, that may not be enough to mitigate substantial risks due to human (exist huge populations, rapid socio-economic growth, subsidence) and natural (climate change) factors. We understand different countries and cities have their own interpretation on SFRM, but recommend policy makers to adopt “mixed options” towards thinking about long term and sustainability that with social, economic and environmental considerations. 

Perceptions and deeply held beliefs about responsibility for flood risk adaptation in Accra Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-644
Author(s):  
Jerry Chati Tasantab ◽  
Thayaparan Gajendran ◽  
Jason von Meding ◽  
Kim Maund
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. Against this backdrop, flood risk adaptation has become pertinent. However, in Ghana, current flood risk management practice is fostered by a reactive culture. There is limited research on how communities and government agencies are engaging with flood risk adaptation in improving resilience. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse the culture of communities and agencies through the cultural theory of risk (CTR), towards understanding the flood risk adaptation in Accra, Ghana. Culture is deciphered using the beliefs held by residents and public agency officials. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology, underpinned by the constructivist paradigm, was adopted to understand factors that influence flood risk adaptation in informal settlements. Data was gathered using household and institutional interviews in Glefe, Accra, Ghana. Findings The results show that both disaster risk management institutions and community members are deeply concerned about current and future flood risk. However, their cultural beliefs concerning flood risk and adaptation are contradictory, broadly framed by fatalist, individualist and hierarchist beliefs. The contradictory emergent beliefs contribute to a clash of expectations and create uncertainty about how to respond to flood risk, impacting the implementation of required adaptation measures. Developing a collaborative flood risk management framework and a shared understanding of adaptation approaches may be a better alternative. Originality/value This paper advances understanding of how culture influences flood risk adaptation in developing country context.

We are all tributaries: combining art and science to transform human relationship with rivers.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Archer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Art Practice ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Creative Practice ◽  
Transformative Process

<div> <p>What is your relationship with river? This was the central question posed by a series of creative practice workshops with scientists and local authorities who worked with complex flood risk management issues. Many of the flood mitigating solutions offered to managers are based on scientific methods to control and reduce river flooding. Scientific methods not only provide a sense of control towards river dynamics, but also develop a sense of security for people to feel safe from water. Because of climate change, flood events are increasing globally and some countries, like Scotland, are seeking to expand the possibilities of coping with extreme weather through broader, more holistic ways to mitigate flooding.</p> </div><div> <p>The aim of this study was to bridge rational knowledge often associated with scientific methods and the tacit knowledge that might emerge through participative art. The creative potential of art and participation in art practice was employed in collaboration with scientists and policy makers to inform future solutions towards flood mitigation.</p> </div><div> <p>The research used the theoretical premises described in what Irwin (2013) describes as a/r/tography: “drawing upon the professional practices of educators, artists, and researchers, it entangles and performs what Deleuze and Guattari (1987) refer to as a rhizome, an assemblage of objects, ideas, and structures that move in dynamic motion performing waves of intensities that create new understandings.” (p.199). Unlike the outcome and target driven aims of scientific methodology, these “waves of intensities” are crucial to understanding the form of intersubjective work which is crucial for art and creativity in art practice, because this is where affective transformation of meaning and understanding happens, through sensing, feeling and perceiving.</p> </div><div> <p>In the case of these creative practice workshops, the transformation that was explored was a shift from anthropocentric thinking about water to non-anthropocentric thought, achieved through sensing, feeling and perceiving. The creative practice workshops at the Scotland flood management conference 2020 were part of a larger process, where the intent was to initiate a transformative process that would work towards developing different ways of thinking in terms of Flood Risk Management. The process began with an artistic engagement with the river and the development of underwater film of rivers. This was followed by two participatory workshops. The next step consisted of an artistic response to the creative process undertaken by the participants. The last step was an engagement with water management policy makers. This will be further discussed in terms of a transformative process between artist and scientist.</p> </div>

Building local/lay flood knowledges into community flood resilience planning after the July 2007 floods, Gloucestershire, UK

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey McEwen ◽  
Owain Jones
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Flood Experience

A UK Cabinet Office review after the 2007 floods highlighted different types of knowledge needed for effective flood risk management, along with knowledge gaps. This paper explores key, emerging aspects of this expanded knowledge base, namely relationships between expert and local/lay knowledges, the changing nature of local knowledge of community flood risk, and how attempts are being made to incorporate local knowledge into science, policy and practice. Sustainable flood knowledge, as an aspiration, integrates expert, local and political knowledge to build community flood resilience. The research involved stakeholder interviews undertaken before and after the 2007 floods, Severn catchment, UK and examination of policy documentation. The paper focuses on scale issues in relation to knowledge types suggesting that local knowledge can be ‘expert’ in large-scale mapping of flood processes. It reflects on how local flood knowledges can be captured, shared, harnessed and used, and assimilated into governance structures for flood resilience planning. The paper recognises progress in integrating local knowledges in flood science and governance, but also highlights challenges. It concludes that the 2007 UK flood experience is generating new understandings of the value of local knowledges, and how these might be successfully used in flood risk management practice.

scholarly journals Flood Risk Management: Case Study on Institutional Models

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Country Level ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Institutional Model ◽  
Management Case Study

This paper presents the findings of an interdisciplinary review of possible country level institutional model alternatives for adopting flood risk management in the Republic of Macedonia, by harmonizing the national water management, and other related systems with the requirements of the EU Floods Directive. Based on the application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) theory, a tailor-made institutional model for integrated risk-based flood management is proposed as a substitute of the current ineffective flood management approaches that are based on purely engineering/design-based standards and ad-hoc interventions to flood events. It discusses the benefits of introducing the model and outlines the key preconditions to its operationalization. Given the similarity of existing flood management systems in the countries of the wider region, these findings can be used for initiating similar improvements in line with the contemporary flood risk management principles.

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