scholarly journals Hess Opinions: Socio-economic and ecological trade-offs of flood management – benefits of a transdisciplinary approach

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Auerswald ◽  
Peter Moyle ◽  
Simon Paul Seibert ◽  
Juergen Geist
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Ecological Consequences ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Alternative Solutions

Abstract. In light of climate change and growing numbers of people inhabiting riverine floodplains, worldwide demand for flood protection is increasing, typically through engineering approaches such as more and bigger levees. However, the well-documented “levee effect” of increased floodplain use following levee construction or enhancement often results in increased problems, especially when levees fail or are compromised by big flood events. Herein, we argue that there are also unintended socio-economic and ecological consequences of traditional engineering solutions that need to be better considered, communicated and weighed against alternative solutions. Socio-economic consequences include reduced aesthetic and recreational values as well as increased downstream flooding risk and reduced ecosystem services. Ecological consequences include hydraulic decoupling, loss of biodiversity and increased risk of contamination during flooding. In addition, beyond river losses of connectivity and natural riparian vegetation created by levees, changes in groundwater levels and increased greenhouse gas emissions are likely. Because flood protection requires huge financial investments and results in major and persistent changes to the landscape, more balanced decisions that involve all stakeholders and policy makers should be made in the future. This requires a transdisciplinary approach that considers alternative solutions such as green infrastructure and places emphasis on integrated flood management rather than on reliance on technical protection measures.

scholarly journals HESS Opinions: Socio-economic and ecological trade-offs of flood management – benefits of a transdisciplinary approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 1035-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Auerswald ◽  
Peter Moyle ◽  
Simon Paul Seibert ◽  
Juergen Geist
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Ecological Consequences ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Alternative Solutions

Abstract. In light of climate change and growing numbers of people inhabiting riverine floodplains, worldwide demand for flood protection is increasing, typically through engineering approaches such as more and bigger levees. However, the well-documented “levee effect” of increased floodplain use following levee construction or enhancement often results in increased problems, especially when levees fail or are compromised by big flood events. Herein, we argue that there are also unintended socio-economic and ecological consequences of traditional engineering solutions that need to be better considered, communicated and weighed against alternative solutions. Socio-economic consequences include reduced aesthetic and recreational values as well as increased downstream flooding risk and reduced ecosystem services. Ecological consequences include hydraulic decoupling, loss of biodiversity and increased risk of contamination during flooding. In addition, beyond river losses of connectivity and natural riparian vegetation created by levees, changes in groundwater levels and increased greenhouse gas emissions are likely. Because flood protection requires huge financial investments and results in major and persistent changes to the landscape, more balanced decisions that involve all stakeholders and policymakers should be made in the future. This requires a transdisciplinary approach that considers alternative solutions such as green infrastructure and places emphasis on integrated flood management rather than on reliance on technical protection measures.

scholarly journals Urban Pluvial Flood Management Part 2: Global Perceptions and Priorities in Urban Stormwater Adaptation Management and Policy Alternatives

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 2433
Author(s):  
Charles Axelsson ◽  
Silvio Giove ◽  
Stefano Soriani ◽  
Patricia J. Culligan
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Adaptation Policy ◽  
Urban Stormwater ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Policy Alternatives ◽  
Global Standards ◽  
Increased Risk

Urban stormwater infrastructure is at an increased risk of being overwhelmed by pluvial flood events due to climate change. Currently, there are no global standards or frameworks for approaching urban rainfall adaptation policy. Such standards or frameworks would allow cities that have limited time, finances or research capacities to make more confident adaptation policy decisions based on a globally agreed theoretical basis. Additionally, while adaptation via blue-green infrastructure is often weighed against traditional grey infrastructure approaches, its choice must be considered within the context of additional policy alternatives involved in stormwater management. Using six global and developed cities, we explore to what extent a standardized hierarchy of urban rainfall adaptation techniques can be established through a combined Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. While regional and stakeholder differences emerge, our study demonstrates that green infrastructure undertaken by public bodies are the top policy alternative across the cities and stakeholder groups, and that there exists some consensus on best management practice techniques for urban stormwater adaptation.

Effectiveness of Flood Protection Project Valuation Methods

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-289
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Liziński ◽  
Marcin Bukowski ◽  
Anna Wróblewska
Keyword(s):  
Essential Element ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Market Values ◽  
Project Valuation ◽  
The Subject

Projects for flood protection are increasingly the subject of investment projects in the field of water management. This is related to the increasing frequency of worldwide threats caused by extreme weather conditions, including extremely high rainfall causing floods. Technical and nontechnical flood protection measures are also increasing in importance. In the decision-making process, it is necessary to take into account both the costs and benefits of avoiding losses, including an analysis of social benefits, whose valuation of non-market goods is an essential element. A comprehensive account of projects in the field of flood protection based on the estimated costs and benefits of the investment allows the economic efficiency from a general social point of view to be determined. Previous evaluations of the effectiveness of investment projects have mainly taken into account only categories and market values. The aim of the article is to identify the possibilities to expand the values of non-market assessments and categories formulated on the basis of the theoretical economics of the environment. 

scholarly journals Climate Change, Weather, Housing Precarity, and Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5812
Author(s):  
Mariya Bezgrebelna ◽  
Kwame McKenzie ◽  
Samantha Wells ◽  
Arun Ravindran ◽  
Michael Kral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Review Of Reviews ◽  
The Impact

This systematic review of reviews was conducted to examine housing precarity and homelessness in relation to climate change and weather extremes internationally. In a thematic analysis of 15 reviews (5 systematic and 10 non-systematic), the following themes emerged: risk factors for homelessness/housing precarity, temperature extremes, health concerns, structural factors, natural disasters, and housing. First, an increased risk of homelessness has been found for people who are vulnerably housed and populations in lower socio-economic positions due to energy insecurity and climate change-induced natural hazards. Second, homeless/vulnerably-housed populations are disproportionately exposed to climatic events (temperature extremes and natural disasters). Third, the physical and mental health of homeless/vulnerably-housed populations is projected to be impacted by weather extremes and climate change. Fourth, while green infrastructure may have positive effects for homeless/vulnerably-housed populations, housing remains a major concern in urban environments. Finally, structural changes must be implemented. Recommendations for addressing the impact of climate change on homelessness and housing precarity were generated, including interventions focusing on homelessness/housing precarity and reducing the effects of weather extremes, improved housing and urban planning, and further research on homelessness/housing precarity and climate change. To further enhance the impact of these initiatives, we suggest employing the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA).

Changes in groundwater regime during vegetation period in Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Krogulec ◽  
Sebastian Zabłocki ◽  
Katarzyna Sawicka
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Large River ◽  
Entire Interval ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Groundwater Level Fluctuations ◽  
Vistula River ◽  
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems ◽  
Management Plans

Abstract An analysis of the dynamics of groundwater levels in the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs), which cover a vast part of the middle Vistula River valley in central Poland was carried out. The study area, typical of large river valleys, was investigated by detailed monitoring of groundwater levels. Based on statistical analysis and the geo-statistical modeling of monitoring data for 1999-2013, the range and dynamics of groundwater level fluctuations were determined for the entire interval and for the vegetation periods. The values of retention and infiltration recharge in various periods were compared with average values, indicating intervals of potential groundwater deficiency in GDEs. The amplitude of groundwater fluctuations, retention and infiltration were determined for vegetation periods characterized by the highest water intake by plants and the highest evapotranspiration. Particular attention has been drawn to the analysis of low groundwater levels in the vegetation periods, with water deficiencies potentially threatening the correct functioning of plant communities in GDEs. Moreover, the study has allowed us to indicate areas with insufficient groundwater levels during vegetation periods that may be hazardous to plant communities. The results may be a basis for the elaboration of correct management plans, protection measures and projects, or GDE renaturalization.

scholarly journals Mapping the adaptation solution space – lessons from Jakarta for other coastal cities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Wannewitz ◽  
Matthias Garschagen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Capital ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Coastal Hazards ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Coastal Cities ◽  
The City ◽  
Adaptation Options

Abstract. Coastal cities are under increasing pressure to adapt to climate change. They suffer from the severe effects of increased frequencies and intensities of coastal hazards, particularly flooding, whilst oftentimes continuing to sprawl into hazard exposed areas and grow beyond the pace of sufficient infrastructure development. Even though these problems have been quite well understood for a while, there is still comparatively little knowledge on the solution space, i.e. on the options available for adaptation and the ways in which they are being perceived, framed and evaluated. Focusing on Jakarta as one of the cities with the highest flood risk and adaptation pressure globally, this study presents findings from a systematic review of scientific English literature on mitigation options and the adaptation solution space to counter the city’s chronic flood problem. Results indicate that the perceived solution space is skewed towards protection against flooding, while soft adaptation options as well as measures to live with flooding or retreat from exposed areas are less widely considered. This appears to not only stem from the government’s traditional preference for engineered flood protection measures but also from a bias of scientific analyses towards focusing on understanding the hazard and analyzing engineered flood protection measures, while giving much less attention to soft adaptation options and community-led adaptation focusing among others on social and natural capital, empowerment and capacity building. Similarly, hybrid adaptation approaches, which combine soft and hard measures in a complementary way, are only rarely considered. Looking into the future, the findings suggest that a more integrative scientific approach would be helpful to populate and balance the considered solution space. Jakarta is one of the most heavily researched coastal cities worldwide and lessons from Jakarta are hence of global reach and importance. Future science on the city can play a significant role in piloting new approaches on the pressing frontiers in adaptation research. But increased attention is needed on current epistemic gaps.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document