scholarly journals The added value of system robustness analysis for flood risk management illustrated by a case on the IJssel River

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. P. Mens ◽  
F. Klijn

Abstract. Decision makers in fluvial flood risk management increasingly acknowledge that they have to prepare for extreme events. Flood risk is the most common basis on which to compare flood risk-reducing strategies. To take uncertainties into account the criteria of robustness and flexibility are advocated as well. This paper discusses the added value of robustness as an additional decision criterion compared to single-value flood risk only. We do so by quantifying flood risk and system robustness for alternative system configurations of the IJssel River valley in the Netherlands. We found that robustness analysis has added value in three respects: (1) it does not require assumptions on current and future flood probabilities, since flood consequences are shown as a function of discharge; (2) it shows the sensitivity of the system to varying discharges; and (3) it supports a discussion on the acceptability of flood damage. We conclude that robustness analysis is a valuable addition to flood risk analysis in support of long-term decision-making on flood risk management.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 2913-2945 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. P. Mens ◽  
F. Klijn

Abstract. Decision makers in fluvial flood risk management increasingly acknowledge that they have to prepare for extreme events. Flood risk is the most common basis on which to compare flood risk-reducing strategies. To take uncertainties into account the criteria of robustness and flexibility are advocated as well. This paper discusses the added value of robustness as additional decision criterion compared to single-value flood risk only. We do so by quantifying flood risk and system robustness for alternative system configurations of the Ijssel River valley in the Netherlands. We found that robustness analysis has added value in three respects: (1) it does not require assumptions on current and future flood probabilities, since flood consequences are shown as a function of discharge, (2) it shows the sensitivity of the system to varying discharges and (3) it supports a discussion on the acceptability of flood damage. We conclude that robustness analysis is a valuable addition to flood risk analysis in support of long-term decision-making on flood risk management.


2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Winterscheid

It is now commonly accepted that the management of flood risks has to be fulfilled within an integrated framework. About two decades ago flood risk was managed from a limited perspective predominantly by means of structural measures aimed at flood control. In contrast integrated flood risk management incorporates the complete management cycle consisting of the phases prevention, protection and preparedness. In theory it is a well described concept. In the stage of implementation, however, there is often a lack of support although a consistent policy framework exists. Consequently, the degree of implementation must be rated as inadequate in many cases. In particular this refers to the elements which focus on preparedness and prevention. The study to which this paper refers emphasises the means and potentials of scenario technique to foster the implementation of potentially appropriate measures and new societal arrangements when applied in the framework of integrated flood risk management. A literature review is carried out to reveal the state-of-the-art and the specific problem framework within which scenario technique is generally being applied. Subsequently, it is demonstrated that scenario technique is transferable to a policy making process in flood risk management that is integrated, sustainable and interactive. The study concludes with a recommendation for three applications in which the implementation of measures of flood damage prevention and preparedness is supported by scenario technique.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Ciullo ◽  
Karin M. De Bruijn ◽  
Jan H. Kwakkel ◽  
Frans Klijn

Rivers typically flow through multiple flood-protected areas which are clearly interconnected, as risk reduction measures taken at one area, e.g., heightening dikes or building flood storage areas, affect risk elsewhere. We call these interconnections ‘hydraulic interactions’. The current approach to flood risk management, however, neglects hydraulic interactions for two reasons: They are uncertain and, furthermore, considering them would require the design of policies not only striving for risk reduction, but also accounting for risk transfers across flood-protected areas. In the present paper, we compare the performance of policies identified according to the current approach with those of two alternative formulations: One acknowledging hydraulic interactions and the other also including an additional decision criterion to account for equity in risk distribution across flood-protected areas. Optimal policies are first identified under deterministic hydraulic interactions, and, next, they are stress-tested under uncertainty. We found that the current approach leads to a false sense of equal risk distribution. It does, however, perform efficiently when a risk-averse approach towards uncertain hydraulic interactions is taken. Accounting for hydraulic interactions in the design of policies, instead, increases efficiency and both efficiency and equity when hydraulic interactions are considered deterministically and as uncertain, respectively.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1862-1877
Author(s):  
Avelino Isaias Mondlane ◽  
Karin Hansson ◽  
Oliver B. Popov

The Limpopo River Basin, one of the nine international rivers crossing Mozambique, historically has shown to be cyclically flooded, undermining the economic and social development of its four riparian countries. Local and external added efforts are always in place when floods occur. Nowadays there are recommended ex-ante instruments to prevent floods and one of the most applicable instruments worldwide is insurance. Most of the inhabitants, even governments, affected by Limpopo River Basin are poor, therefore our concern regards the viability to apply insurance as a strategy for flood risk management. Moreover our research investigates to what extent the application of insurance, within two identified communities as case study, might create an added value in the process of decision making on flood risk management for Limpopo River Basin.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1297-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. de Bruijn ◽  
F. Klijn ◽  
B. van de Pas ◽  
C. T. J. Slager

Abstract. For comprehensive flood risk management, accurate information on flood hazards is crucial. While in the past an estimate of potential flood consequences in large areas was often sufficient to make decisions on flood protection, there is currently an increasing demand to have detailed hazard maps available to be able to consider other risk-reducing measures as well. Hazard maps are a prerequisite for spatial planning, but can also support emergency management, the design of flood mitigation measures, and the setting of insurance policies. The increase in flood risks due to population growth and economic development in hazardous areas in the past shows that sensible spatial planning is crucial to prevent risks increasing further. Assigning the least hazardous locations for development or adapting developments to the actual hazard requires comprehensive flood hazard maps. Since flood hazard is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, many different maps could be relevant. Having large numbers of maps to take into account does not, however, make planning easier. To support flood risk management planning we therefore introduce a new approach in which all relevant flood hazard parameters can be combined into two comprehensive maps of flood damage hazard and flood fatality hazard.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. C. Nkwunonwo ◽  
M. Whitworth ◽  
B. Baily

Abstract. Urban flooding has been and will continue to be a significant problem for many cities across the developed and developing world. Crucial to the amelioration of the effects of these floods is the need to formulate a sound flood management policy, which is driven by knowledge of the frequency and magnitude of impacts of these floods. Within the area of flood research, attempts are being made to gain a better understanding of the causes, impacts, and pattern of urban flooding. According to the United Nations office for disaster reduction (UNISDR), flood risk is conceptualized on the basis of three integral components which are frequently adopted during flood damage estimation. These components are: probability of flood hazard, the level of exposure, and vulnerabilities of elements at risk. Reducing the severity of each of these components is the objective of flood risk management under the UNISDR guideline and idea of “living with floods”. On the basis of this framework, the present research reviews flood risk within the Lagos area of Nigeria over the period 1968–2012. During this period, floods have caused harm to millions of people physically, emotionally, and economically. Arguably over this period the efforts of stakeholders to address the challenges appear to have been limited by, amongst other things, a lack of reliable data, a lack of awareness amongst the population affected, and a lack of knowledge of flood risk mitigation. It is the aim of this research to assess the current understanding of flood risk and management in Lagos and to offer recommendations towards future guidance.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1121-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein J.P. Mens ◽  
Frans Klijn ◽  
Karin M. de Bruijn ◽  
Eelco van Beek

2021 ◽  
Vol XXVIII (2) ◽  
pp. 125-137
Author(s):  
Vasile Grama ◽  
◽  
Agostino Avanzi ◽  
Livia Nistor-Lopatenco ◽  
◽  
...  

An analysis of global statistics shows a substantial increase in flood damage over the past few decades. With the recent transition to a more risk-based approach in European flood management policy, flood analysis models have become an important part of flood risk management. In many cases, flood damages are extensive to the environment, to the economy and also socially. According to the priority development trend "Infrastructure and Environment", Ungheni district of Republic of Moldova (RM) aims for an efficient infrastructure, based on environmental protection, whose development, operation and maintenance will be done using of a database, protocols, existing guides and accessible to the level of each local public administration. In the last decade, projects have been implemented in Moldova to study the phenomenon of floods in order to develop structural and non-structural measures to protect localities. This article aims is to systematize the existing knowledge and characteristics of the methods available to give operational recommendations and principles that can support authorities, local entities, and the stakeholders involved in decision-making with regard to flood risk management in their compliance with the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC), national and local legal framework.


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