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.

Designing an Information Infrastructure for Policy Integration of Spatial Planning and Flood Risk Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-85
Author(s):  
Jing Ran ◽  
Zorica Nedovic-Budic
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Policy Integration ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Integrated Policy ◽  
Frontier Studies ◽  
Selected Functions

The policy integration of spatial planning and flood risk management is a promising approach to mitigate flooding. Scholars indicate that the absence of appropriate information base and technological capacity is among the factors impeding this integration. This study found that what needs to be improved is the access to geographic information and geographic technologies by individual policy makers, rather than the ownership of such resources by one organisation as a whole. Based on this finding, we designed the goals and functions for a Spatially Integrated Policy Infrastructure (SIPI) which shares not only geographic information but also models and analysis tools. A prototype of SIPI was also developed as an illustration of the selected functions of this SIPI. The design of SIPI is consistent with other frontier studies and projects in the field of GIS and planning. The development process also provides experience for future studies and development of infrastructures that aim at supporting policy integration.

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 Obligation or Innovation: Can the EU Floods Directive Be Seen as a Tipping Point Towards More Resilient Flood Risk Management? A Case Study from Vorarlberg, Austria

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Rauter ◽  
Thomas Thaler ◽  
Marie-Sophie Attems ◽  
Sven Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
System Change ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Policy Cycle ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Floods Directive ◽  
Eu Floods Directive ◽  
The Eu

Environmental change is subject to discussion among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers. As increasing threats to both environment and society are on the agenda, alternative management approaches are gaining importance. This paper focuses on the influence of policy changes on flood risk management. There is evidence that shifts in settlement patterns and population growth might influence the dynamics of flood damage and loss. There is increased pressure to intensify land use, but also to keep free spaces for hazard mitigation and adaptation. In this paper, we focus on new regulative and management approaches associated with the implementation of the European (EU) Floods Directive in Austria. The concept of tipping points, which are defined as turning points for system change, has been applied. Based on semi-structured interviews we evaluate whether or not the implementation of the EU Floods Directive has triggered a system change in flood risk management. Our results show that triggers for change are past flood events and a general need for action rather than the implementation of the directive itself. Changes related to the EU Floods Directive are likely to happen in the long-term; however, these cannot yet be determined. The main challenges are associated with transparency and communication between policymakers and the affected society. So far, the requirements of the first policy cycle of the directive have been fulfilled. The second policy cycle will show further outcomes and potential needs.

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