Co-ordinator: Erik Pasche

1

Integrate, Consolidate and
Disseminate
European Flood Risk Management
Research
ERA-NET CRUE Funding Initiative
Risk Assessment and Risk Management in Small
Urban Catchments
Hamburg University of Technology, Germany
University of Manchester, England
University of Sheffield, England
Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées,
Marne-la-Vallee. France
Abstract The project will develop a
methodological framework for flood management in
small urban catchments. Based on case studies of
urban river catchments of the cities Hamburg,
Manchester, Bradford, Glasgow, Cologne, Dresden
and Paris the effectiveness and efficiency of
non-structural measures to reduce flood damage
will be analysed and evaluated. On this basis the
feasibility of assessing and mitigating flood
risk from hidden watercourses and associated
culverts in urban areas will be illustrated and
possibilities and ways to implement effective,
non-structural solutions to minimise flooding
from these sources will be demonstrated. Finally
the value of daylighting urban streams by
removing culverts and restoring open channels
that include space for flood storage will be
shown.
Addressed Problem Due to the sealed surface and
compact, often hidden channels only little
retention exists in small urban catchments. Heavy
rain will produce flush floods even in flat
areas. What are the chances of non-structural
measures under these extreme hydrological
conditions? What is the right strategy of flood
risk management in these catchments? Can SUDS and
daylighting of culverts reduce the probability of
flood? What risk awareness exists at
stakeholders and how can it be improved?
Sewer system and probable original course of
Wrigley Brook, Manchester, England
Encroached Urban Watercourse and flash flood
situation in Hamburg, summer 2002
From Information to Learning Interactive
Learning Groups
Actions and Applied Methods inventory of each
citys hydrological and urban situation (flood
risk, flood risk management plan, regulatory,
societal, cultural and economic data). Focus
groups and interviews will be conducted to
determine peoples flood risk awareness and
readiness to live with floods (their risk
culture). By applying the interactive learning
group method, the stakeholders will be tested on
their capability and openness to apply soft
mitigation methods and non-structural measures
Non-structural measures will be systemised and
evaluated in their efficiency to raise risk
awareness and to develop efficient flood risk
management plans for urban catchments with
rapidly rising floods
Documentation of Results in an internet-based
knowledge base of flood resilience
Acknowledgments City of Hamburg, Cologne, Dresden
Glasgow, Manchester, Bredford and Paris for
providing data and cooperating in all activities
Co-ordinator Erik Pasche Project Contract
No ERAC-FKZ 0330770 Project website
www.crue-eranet.risk-urban.net