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FloodProBE at SMARTeST - 29 August 2012

FloodProBE will be presenting at the upcoming SMARTeST conference in Athens. In attendance will be Chris Zevenbergen, work package 4 leader for FloodProBE, who will be making a keynote presentation based on the following abstract.

Building upon the outcomes of FP7 flood management research (SmarTest and FloodProbe)

Chris Zevenbergen

In Europe flood catastrophes are increasing in number and intensity and are mostly caused by extreme rainfall. In the past decade record breaking floods in terms of total damage occurered in many European countries. Only a few countries have been spared from flood disasters. The key drivers for these increases in Europe are the increase in socio-economic activities in flood prone areas and their growing interdependency on flood protection and drainage infrastructure of which a significant part is of unknown or poor condition. It has become clear that we have to live with extreme natural events but can prevent major flood catastrophes. Towards the end of the 20th and early in the 21st century the shift from absolute prevention, which is an impossible task, to flood risk management has been gradually adopted by policymakers across Europe. At EU level the Flood Directive came into force in 2007. The Directive requires EU member states to identify, develop and implement measures as part of a flood risk management strategy or plan to reduce the actual and future risks of flooding. This includes preparation of flood risk maps to support policies and development plans, which must be accepted, understood and used by the endusers. It also includes consideration of structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures that can help in minimising damage and disruption, by incorporating resilience into planning and design. It is timely to take stock of the science and best practices in this area generated from EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). This programme involves projects such such as SmarTest and FloodProbe and covers the 2007-2013 period. Building upon EU's FP6 flagship project FLOODSite, that has delivered an integrated flood risk analysis and management methodology, these FP7 projects are now providing the insights, tools, guidance and commitment through testing programmes, pilot studies, and demonstrations and stakeholders engagement, which will facilitate wider uptake uptake and implementation of the required concepts and technologies that enhance flood resilience. The next challenge will be to exploit the many opportunities for mainstreaming and integrating these concepts and technologies into national and regional policies, land management practices, urban regeneration and in identifying and delivering multiple benefits at a local level. Whilst ageing infrastructure and building stock in the EU pose a risk due to increasing vulnerability, this also provides an opportunity to introduce these new concepts and technologies in the redevelopment process and to adapt infrastructure and buildings to enhance flood resilience. Urban restoration, regeneration and modernization can be a key driver of economic development, both as a result of the initial investments required and the benefits that will accrue over time.

You may find out more information about the FloodProBE and SMARTeST by attending the conference of visiting either website.

IMPLEMENTING FLOOD RESILIENCE
SMARTeST International Conference
Athens, Greece
27-28 September 2012

SMARTeST website: www.floodresilience.eu
FloodProBE website: www.floodprobe.eu