Chris Zevenbergen

Urban flood management.

1. Introduction Andras Szollosi-Nagy & Chris Zevenbergen 2. Land use & urban floods in developing countries Carlos Tucci & Adolfo Villanueva 3. Cities, lakes and floods: the case of the Green Hyderabad Project, India Joep Verhagen 4. Co-operation within Europe on flood management and spatial planning Roelof Moll 5. Spatial measures and instruments for flood risk reduction in selected EU countries - a quick scan Willem Oosterberg & Jasper Fiselier 6. Risk perceptance and preparedness and flood insurance Paul Baan 7. The role of private insurance companies in managing flood risks in the UK and Europe David Crichton 8. New strategies of damage reduction in urban areas proned to flood Erik Pasche & Timm Ruben Geissler 9. Flood resilience in the built environment: damage and repair Stephen Garvin 10. California climate change: hydrologic response, and flood forecasting Norman Miller Conclusions Andras Szollosi-Nagy & Chris Zevenbergen

Room for the River: delivering integrated river basin management in the Netherlands

This article describes how the governance arrangements of the 2.2 billion Euro water safety programme Room for the River are enabling a transition towards integrated river basin management in the Netherlands. We observe that in terms of integrating multiple objectives and spatial scales, the programme design and multi-level governance processes in the programme have enabled the establishment of integrated plans and designs. We conclude that Room for the River plays an important role in a transition to integrated river basin management in the Netherlands through practical implementation of the strategic policy vision for integrated water management. Also, through application of a mixed centralized–decentralized governance approach, the programme has tackled governance pitfalls related to centralized planning approaches that previously impeded integrated water management. Although several of the governance lessons of the programme are being adopted by, for example, the Delta Programme, we have identified a risk that continuity of the newly introduced governance approach may be lost when the Room for the River programme is completed in 2015.

Developing the evidence base for mainstreaming adaptation of stormwater systems to climate change

In a context of high uncertainty about hydro-climatic variables, the development of updated methods for climate impact and adaptation assessment is as important, if not more important than the provision of improved climate change data. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid method to facilitate mainstreaming adaptation of stormwater systems to climate change: i.e., the Mainstreaming method. The Mainstreaming method starts with an analysis of adaptation tipping points (ATPs), which is effect-based. These are points of reference where the magnitude of climate change is such that acceptable technical, environmental, societal or economic standards may be compromised. It extends the ATP analysis to include aspects from a bottom-up approach. The extension concerns the analysis of adaptation opportunities in the stormwater system. The results from both analyses are then used in combination to identify and exploit Adaptation Mainstreaming Moments (AMMs). Use of this method will enhance the understanding of the adaptive potential of stormwater systems. We have applied the proposed hybrid method to the management of flood risk for an urban stormwater system in Dordrecht (the Netherlands). The main finding of this case study is that the application of the Mainstreaming method helps to increase the no-/low-regret character of adaptation for several reasons: it focuses the attention on the most urgent effects of climate change; it is expected to lead to potential cost reductions, since adaptation options can be integrated into infrastructure and building design at an early stage instead of being applied separately; it will lead to the development of area-specific responses, which could not have been developed on a higher scale level; it makes it possible to take account of local values and sensibilities, which contributes to increased public and political support for the adaptive strategies.

Advances in urban flood management

* Challenges in Urban Flood Management Chris Zevenbergen & Berry Gersonius * Sustainable Measures for Flood Attenuation - Sustainable Drainage and Conveyance Systems SUDACS Joachim T. Tourbier & Iain White * Characterisation of Urban Streams and Urban Flooding Ian Douglas, Mira Kobold, Nigel Lawson, Erik Pasche & Iain White * Flood Modelling in Urban Rivers - The state-of-the-art and Where to go Erik Pasche * Urban Flood Management - Simulation Tools for Decision Makers Peter Oberle & Uwe Merkel * Flood Frequency Analysis for Extreme Events Felix Frances & Blanca A. Botero * A Critical Review of Probability of Extreme Rainfall: Principles and Models Demetris Koutsoyiannis * Role of Detention and Retention Basins in Stormwater Management and Environmental Protection Miodrag Jovanovic * Flood Induced Indirect Hazard Loss Estimation Models William Veerbeek * Flood Damage Estimation and Flood Risk Mapping Andreas Kron * Flood Risk Modelling in Urban Watercourses - Results of the European FLOWS Project Erik Pasche & Nicole von Lieberman * Flood Repair Standars for Buildings Stephen L. Garvin & David J. Kelly * Economic feasibility study of flood proofing domestic dwellings Chris Zevenbergen, Berry Gersonius, Najib Puyan & Sebastiaan van Herk * Local flood defence systems in Europe Mitja Brilly * European Flood Strategies in Support of Resilient Buildings David J. Kelly & Stephen L. Garvin * FloReTo - Web Based Advisory Tool for Flood Mitigation Strategies for Existing Buildings Natasa Manojlovic * New Approaches to Flood Risk Management - Implications for Capacity-Building Joanne Tippett & Emma J. Griffiths * Towards Integrated Approaches to Reduce Flood Risk in Urban Areas Richard Ashley, John Blanksby, Jonathan Chapman & JingJing Zhou * Hydrological Modelling of Floods Mira Kobold * An Overview of Flood Protection Barriers Jean-Luc Salagnac * An Innovative Semi-Permanent Flood Protection Structure - Alternative to Sandbags and Supplements to Conventional Earth Embankments Jarle T. Bjerkholt & Oddvar G. Lindholm * The English Planning System and Flood Risk Management Juliet Richards * French Regulations for Urban Flood Management Nicolas-Gerard Camphuis

Adaptive co-management and network learning in the Room for the River programme

Adaptive co-management and learning are paramount for integrated flood risk management. Relevant literature focuses on adaptation at the level of physical and societal systems. The level of projects and programmes is largely overlooked, but they comprise interventions that adapt our physical systems and they provide opportunities for learning to contribute to transitions of societal systems. This paper aims to increase understanding on how learning takes place and can be stimulated within a programme. The mixed-method case study of Room for the River, a €2.3 billion programme for flood risk management, shows that a programme can be organised using various governance arrangements to stimulate learning and be a means for adaptive co-management to deliver upon environmental objectives.

Managing flood risk in the urban environment: linking spatial planning, risk assessment, communication and policy

Over recent years there have been a number of attempts at integrated approaches being taken to water and flood risk management. Recent flooding events in Europe have triggered discussions about giving rivers back their nature (floodplains in stead of dikes). However, the emphasis tends to be on finding space for flood water in rural areas in order to protect the urban areas. The question how to deal with major floods in urban areas has not received much attention, and as yet the delivery of increased system resilience as defined by de Bruijn (2005) is a major challenge. In a resilient approach the focus is on accommodating flood waters, with concurrent impact minimalization and rapid recovery. Spatial solutions (diversification of defense levels for different land uses according to their vulnerability) may provide important opportunities to reduce flood impacts, whereas flood proofing of buildings enhances the recovery capacity of the system. In this paper it is argued that cities play an important role in driving the transition to adaptive flood management approaches across different spatial and temporal scales. Yet, at the moment there are a number of bottlenecks which have so far hampered the adoption and effective implementation of flood risk management into urban planning practices. As such the recent Urban Flood Management (UFM) project, which aims at the development and verification of UFM strategies and methodologies in the cities of Dordrecht, Hamburg and London, may provide relevant practical examples to address these issues. These experiences could contribute to national and European policy making, such as input for the EU Flood Directive. This paper discusses the background and challenges to the UFM project, and also shares the first insights from this international umbrella project.

Adapting to climate change: using urban renewal in managing long-term flood risk

Cities are dynamic systems. Understanding the role of time and the way it shapes the urban fabric and structure is crucial to assess urban flood vulnerability and to manage the capacity of cities to adapt to changes in demography as well as in climatic conditions. Consequently, cities have to learn from the past and anticipate the future in order to develop and implement effective flood management approaches. They have to eliminate unsatisfactory practices through investigation, experimentation and evaluation. Urban renewal of buildings and infrastructure is one of the means by which cities adapt to long term changes, to correct old errors and to increase flood resilience. According to the latest climate change scenarios flood frequency is going to increase significantly over the lifetime of existing buildings. Therefore, the inclusion of pro-active retrofitting in regular urban renewal schemes and decreasing lifetime cycles of new buildings are likely sound and effective strategies to increase the robustness of the urban fabric to climate change. Since current building practices are based upon the assumption that the built environment will not experience significant change, these approaches will have major ramifications for investment levels and building methods. In order to account for the relatively rapid rate of substitution of buildings and other built structures it is argued in this paper that the life cycle assessment and full cost accounting of the building stock should be included in the development of effective UFM strategies.

Coping capacities for improving adaptation pathways for flood protection in Can Tho, Vietnam

The planning and phasing of adaptation responses are essential to tackle uncertainties and ensure positive outcomes while adapting to changing circumstances. Understanding the evolution of coping and adaptation responses and their capacities is a prerequisite for preparing an effective flood management plan for the future. The aim of this paper is to determine the effect of coping capacity on longer term adaptation responses in a flood risk management system. The objectives, requirements, targets, design, and performance of flood protection measures will have to be determined after taking into account, or in conjunction with, the coping capacities. A methodology has been developed and demonstrated based on an adaptation pathway approach to account for coping capacities and to assess the effect of these on flood protection measures. Application of this methodology for flood protection measures in Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta shows the effect of considering coping capacity for flood protection measures and the value in delaying the occurrence of tipping points. Coping measures such as elevating property floor levels can postpone the tipping points when dikes are no longer effective. Consideration of coping capacity in the system improves adaptation responses and leads to better adaptation outcomes.

Understanding the challenges for the governance of China’s “sponge cities” initiative to sustainably manage urban stormwater and flooding

China is a country with severe water problems. In recent years, urban flooding has become even more frequent, pervasive and severe, threatening China’s development. To tackle the issue, China launched a policy initiative termed sponge cities with enormous investment commitment. Yet, China’s ambitious policy agenda is constrained by limited governance capacity and lack of knowledge and experience needed to pursue sustainable urban stormwater management with rising sophistication and complexity. Marking a fundamental shift in water management, this initiative can be an effective approach if China commits to appropriate technical, governance and financial measures to overcome implementation challenges.

Adaptive Delta Management for flood risk and resilience in Dordrecht, The Netherlands

Many countries across the world are experiencing strict austerity measures due to the economic crisis. As a consequence, public financing for stand-alone adaptation to flooding and drought will become scarcer in the (near) future, and this hampers the pursuit of resilience (i.e. the ability to remain functioning under a range of hazard magnitudes). In such times, key challenges for adaptation are further complicated by weaker investment dynamics and an increased tendency to ‘work in silos’. These are: to minimise regret with respect to maladaptation, which results from over- or under-investment in water hazard management; to exploit the opportunities for mainstreaming adaptation to flooding and drought into other investment agendas; and to deliver multiple benefits for society and the economy, such as increased biodiversity, liveability and competitiveness. These common challenges drive the best way in which to adapt to uncertain climate and socio-economic changes. In the Netherlands, the Delta Programme has developed and applied a structured and well-defined approach (called Adaptive Delta Management) for including and acting upon uncertainty around these future changes. This approach allows for greater transparency to decision-makers and stakeholders, because it adheres to four specific steps for strategy development. This paper presents the current understanding of Adaptive Delta Management and an illustration of the approach for the management of flood risk and resilience in Dordrecht. It examines the added value and limitations of Adaptive Delta Management concerning its application in the context of the Delta Programme, with a specific emphasis on the lessons learned from Dordrecht.