scholarly journals Traditional ecological knowledge and flood risk management: A preliminary case study of the Rwenzori

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bosco Bwambale ◽  
Moses Muhumuza ◽  
Martine Nyeko
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Traditional Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
Managing Risk

The shift from flood protection to flood risk management, together with recent arguments on incorporating culture in managing risk, underscores the application of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in managing disasters from flood hazards. Yet, documentation and incorporation of TEK into practice remains a challenge. This article contributes to addressing this challenge by exploring the existence of TEK to flooding in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. Using semi-structured interviews, data were collected from residents of the Nyamwamba watershed where intense flash floods caused deadly impacts in May 2013. Collected data were analysed using content, thematic and interpretive analysis techniques. Results indicate that TEK is exhibited through various traditional ecological approaches (TEAs). Although endangered, TEAs (conducted through collective action for a communally accepted end) are framed in three main activities: (1) assessment and prediction of rainfall and flood by the traditional hydro-meteorologist (diviner) and the traditional rain forecaster (rainmaker); (2) the mountain cleansing ritual (which act as flood risk awareness platform); and (3) immunising riverine communities through planting certain indigenous plants, which improve hydrological systems through their high conservation value for native ecological diversity. As most TEAs are conducted through collective action, they represent a platform to understand local capacities and enhance adoption of measures, and/or a source of knowledge for new measures to address flood risk. Therefore, full-scale investigations of these TEAs, determining how relevant TEAs are fine-tuned, and (scientific) measures enculturated based on fine-tuned TEAs could result in effective flood risk management in various flood hotspots where TEAs influence action.

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.

scholarly journals 3D-hydrodynamic modelling of flood impacts on a building and indoor flooding processes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Gems ◽  
B. Mazzorana ◽  
T. Hofer ◽  
M. Sturm ◽  
R. Gabl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Numerical Modelling ◽  
Vulnerability Assessment ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Flood Plain ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Given the current challenges in flood risk management and vulnerability assessment of buildings exposed to flood hazards, three-dimensional numerical modelling of torrential floods and its interaction with buildings are presented. By means of a case study application, the FLOW-3D software is applied to the lower reach of the Rio Vallarsa torrent in the village of Laives (Italy). A single-family house on the flood plain is thereby considered very detailed and exposed to a 300 yr flood hydrograph. Different building representation scenarios, amongst an entire impervious building envelope and the assumption of fully permeable doors, windows and cellar shafts, are analysed. The modelling results give insight into the flooding process of the building’s interior, the impacting hydrodynamic forces on the exterior and interior walls and, further, quantify the impact of flooding a building on the flow field on the adjacent flood plain. The presented study means a step towards the development of a comprehensive physical vulnerability assessment framework. For pure water floods, it shows possibilities and limits of advanced numerical modelling techniques within flood risk management and, thereby, the planning of local structural protection measures.

scholarly journals 3-D hydrodynamic modelling of flood impacts on a building and indoor flooding processes

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1351-1368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Gems ◽  
Bruno Mazzorana ◽  
Thomas Hofer ◽  
Michael Sturm ◽  
Roman Gabl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Numerical Modelling ◽  
Vulnerability Assessment ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Flood Plain ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Given the current challenges in flood risk management and vulnerability assessment of buildings exposed to flood hazards, this study presents three-dimensional numerical modelling of torrential floods and its interaction with buildings. By means of a case study application, the FLOW-3D software is applied to the lower reach of the Rio Vallarsa torrent in the village of Laives (Italy). A single-family house on the flood plain is therefore considered in detail. It is exposed to a 300-year flood hydrograph. Different building representation scenarios, including an entire impervious building envelope and the assumption of fully permeable doors, light shafts and windows, are analysed. The modelling results give insight into the flooding process of the building's interior, the impacting hydrodynamic forces on the exterior and interior walls, and further, they quantify the impact of the flooding of a building on the flow field on the surrounding flood plain. The presented study contributes to the development of a comprehensive physics-based vulnerability assessment framework. For pure water floods, this study presents the possibilities and limits of advanced numerical modelling techniques within flood risk management and, thereby, the planning of local structural protection measures.

scholarly journals Rapid flood risk screening model for compound flood events in Beira, Mozambique

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2633-2646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik C. van Berchum ◽  
Mathijs van Ledden ◽  
Jos S. Timmermans ◽  
Jan H. Kwakkel ◽  
Sebastiaan N. Jonkman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Flood Simulation ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Coastal Cities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Coastal cities combine intensive socioeconomic activities and investments with high exposure to flood hazards. Developing effective strategies to manage flood risk in coastal cities is often a costly and complicated process. In designing strategies, engineers rely on computationally demanding flood simulation models, but they can only compare a limited number of strategies due to computational constraints. This limits the efficacy of standard flood simulation models in the crucial conceptual phase of flood risk management. This paper presents the Flood Risk Reduction Evaluation and Screening (FLORES) model, which provides useful risk information in this early conceptual phase. FLORES rapidly performs numerous simulations and compares the impact of many storms, strategies, and future scenarios. This article presents FLORES and demonstrates its merits in a case study for Beira, Mozambique. Our results demonstrate that expansion of the drainage capacity and strengthening of its coastal protection in the southwest are crucial components of any effective flood risk management strategy for Beira.

scholarly journals Flood maps in Europe – methods, availability and use

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. de Moel ◽  
J. van Alphen ◽  
J. C. J. H. Aerts
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Flood Maps ◽  
The Eu

Abstract. To support the transition from traditional flood defence strategies to a flood risk management approach at the basin scale in Europe, the EU has adopted a new Directive (2007/60/EC) at the end of 2007. One of the major tasks which member states must carry out in order to comply with this Directive is to map flood hazards and risks in their territory, which will form the basis of future flood risk management plans. This paper gives an overview of existing flood mapping practices in 29 countries in Europe and shows what maps are already available and how such maps are used. Roughly half of the countries considered have maps covering as good as their entire territory, and another third have maps covering significant parts of their territory. Only five countries have very limited or no flood maps available yet. Of the different flood maps distinguished, it appears that flood extent maps are the most commonly produced floods maps (in 23 countries), but flood depth maps are also regularly created (in seven countries). Very few countries have developed flood risk maps that include information on the consequences of flooding. The available flood maps are mostly developed by governmental organizations and primarily used for emergency planning, spatial planning, and awareness raising. In spatial planning, flood zones delimited on flood maps mainly serve as guidelines and are not binding. Even in the few countries (e.g. France, Poland) where there is a legal basis to regulate floodplain developments using flood zones, practical problems are often faced which reduce the mitigating effect of such binding legislation. Flood maps, also mainly extent maps, are also created by the insurance industry in Europe and used to determine insurability, differentiate premiums, or to assess long-term financial solvency. Finally, flood maps are also produced by international river commissions. With respect to the EU Flood Directive, many countries already have a good starting point to map their flood hazards. A flood risk based map that includes consequences, however, has yet to be developed by most countries.

scholarly journals Barriers to Transformative Adaptation: Responses to Flood Risk in Ireland

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 1650010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren Clarke ◽  
Conor Murphy ◽  
Irene Lorenzoni
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Flexible Adaptation ◽  
Transformative Adaptation

Barriers to climate change adaptation have received increased attention in recent years as researchers and policymakers attempt to understand their complex and interdependent nature and identify strategies for overcoming them. To date however, there is a paucity of research on barriers to transformative adaptation. Using two case studies of flood risk management from Ireland we identify and characterize barriers to transformative adaptation. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders connected to proposed transformative strategies in Skibbereen, County Cork and Clontarf, County Dublin. Across both case studies, where transformative strategies failed to materialize, we highlight three significant barriers that impede transformation including: (i) social and cultural values, particularly place attachment and identity; (ii) institutional reliance on technical expertise which fails to look beyond traditional technocratic approaches and; (iii) institutional regulatory practices. Findings illustrate that where social or institutional barriers emerge, transformation may more likely succeed through a series of incremental changes. This research has practical implications for future adaptation planning as facilitating transformation through incrementalism requires flexible adaptation strategies that are responsive to changing social values over time. While focused on flood risk management, our findings have applicability for other sectors adapting to climate change.

scholarly journals The value of integrating information from multiple hazards for flood risk analysis and management

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Castillo-Rodríguez ◽  
I. Escuder-Bueno ◽  
L. Altarejos-García ◽  
A. Serrano-Lombillo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
National Level ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Dam Failure ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
River Flooding ◽  
Flood Risk Analysis

Abstract. This article presents a methodology for estimating flood risk in urban areas integrating pluvial flooding, river flooding and failure of both small and large dams. The first part includes a review of basic concepts on flood risk analysis, evaluation and management. Flood risk analyses may be developed at local, regional and national level, however a general methodology to perform a quantitative flood risk analysis including different flood hazards is still required. The second part describes the proposed methodology, which presents an integrated approach – combining pluvial, river flooding and flooding from dam failure, as applied to a case study: an urban area located downstream of a dam under construction. The methodology enhances the approach developed within the SUFRI project ("Sustainable Strategies of Urban Flood Risk Management to cope with the residual risk", 2009–2011). This article also shows how outcomes from flood risk analysis provide better and more complete information to inform authorities, local entities and the stakeholders involved in decision-making with regard to flood risk management.

scholarly journals Flood hazards in the headwaters area: lessons learned from a survey of households in the upper Myjava basin, Slovakia

Water Policy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ľ. Solín ◽  
M. Sládeková Madajová ◽  
L. Michaleje
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Flood Hazard ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
River Flooding ◽  
Local Factors ◽  
Flood Defence

Abstract The aims of this paper are to present knowledge about the threat of flooding in the upper basins of the Myjava River, obtained using a questionnaire, and to identify the potential lessons for flood risk management. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about households' experience with flooding, including the type of floods experienced, the locations of flooding, the exacerbating factors contributing to flood risk that they considered to be important and their proposals to minimise the occurrence of flooding. Findings obtained using the questionnaire suggest that: (i) in the upper basins, sheetwash flooding is as important as river flooding and the assessment of flood hazards should include all significant types of flood hazard; (ii) flood risk management in the upper basins should primarily focus on the systematic maintenance of small watercourses and on eliminating local factors that increase the risk of all types of flooding. The building of structures for flood defence should be seen as a last resort when other options are not effective.

scholarly journals The value of integrating information from multiple hazards for flood risk management

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 3305-3371
Author(s):  
J. T. Castillo-Rodríguez ◽  
I. Escuder-Bueno ◽  
L. Altarejos-García ◽  
A. Serrano-Lombillo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Dam Failure ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
River Flooding ◽  
Flood Risk Analysis

Abstract. This article presents a methodology for estimating flood risk in urban areas integrating pluvial flooding, river flooding and failure of both small and large dams. The first part includes a review of basic concepts and existing methods on flood risk analysis, evaluation and management. Traditionally, flood risk analyses have focused on specific site studies and qualitative or semi-quantitative approaches. However, in this context, a general methodology to perform a quantitative flood risk analysis including different flood hazards was still required. The second part describes the proposed methodology, which presents an integrated approach – combining pluvial, river flooding and dam failure, as applied to a case study: a urban area located downstream a dam under construction. Such methodology represents an upgrade of the methodological piece developed within the SUFRI project. This article shows how outcomes from flood risk analysis provide better and more complete information to inform authorities, local entities and the stakeholders involved on decision-making with regard to flood risk management.

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