12 research outputs found
Evidence for improved urban flood resilience by sustainable drainage retrofit
The rapid growth of cities under modern development pressure has resulted in surface water flooding becoming an increasing hazard and future climate change uncertainties may exacerbate this threat still further: retrofitting sustainable drainage systems to attenuate stormwater runoff has been advocated as part of an integrated solution required to address this problem. Many of these adaptations not only enhance a communityâs resilience to flooding, but may also offer additional benefits in terms of improved environmental amenity and quality of life. The evidence base for sustainable drainage is critically evaluated in respect of the implications for urban planning, as applied to existing housing stocks and business properties in urban areas worldwide. It is concluded that this approach can make a substantial contribution towards urban resilience as part of an integrated approach to managing extreme storms. This will be of interest to urban planners and designers considering the implementation of integrated flood risk management
Understanding influence and action in Learning and Action Alliances: Experience from the Newcastle BlueâGreen vision
The Learning and Action Alliance (LAA) framework is increasingly valued as an approach to facilitate social learning and action by enabling collaboration within and between organisations, breaking down barriers to information sharing and facilitating coâdevelopment of innovative visions to address key environmental and societal challenges. While the social learning potential of LAAs has been documented in detail, the role of âactionâ is relatively unexplored and there is little research into how LAAs might evolve over time to ensure longevity. Here, we explore the key achievements and limitations of the Newcastle LAA (established in 2014) through interviews with 15 LAA members. We find that interpretations of the concept of âactionâ influences perceptions of the LAA's success. We update the structural framework of the LAA and expand the implementation phase to better reflect the agents of change that impact the LAAs' ability to apply their vision to demonstration projects. Finally, we explore the longevity of the Newcastle LAA and conclude that after running for 8 years, there may be a cyclical nature to wholeâgroup visioning and a move towards greater intraâorganisational learning. This demonstrates a shift in the primary role of the LAA over time, from learning towards greater influence and action
Understanding influence and action in Learning and Action Alliances: Experience from the Newcastle BlueâGreen vision
The Learning and Action Alliance (LAA) framework is increasingly valued as an approach to facilitate social learning and action by enabling collaboration within and between organisations, breaking down barriers to information sharing and facilitating coâdevelopment of innovative visions to address key environmental and societal challenges. While the social learning potential of LAAs has been documented in detail, the role of âactionâ is relatively unexplored and there is little research into how LAAs might evolve over time to ensure longevity. Here, we explore the key achievements and limitations of the Newcastle LAA (established in 2014) through interviews with 15 LAA members. We find that interpretations of the concept of âactionâ influences perceptions of the LAA's success. We update the structural framework of the LAA and expand the implementation phase to better reflect the agents of change that impact the LAAs' ability to apply their vision to demonstration projects. Finally, we explore the longevity of the Newcastle LAA and conclude that after running for 8 years, there may be a cyclical nature to wholeâgroup visioning and a move towards greater intraâorganisational learning. This demonstrates a shift in the primary role of the LAA over time, from learning towards greater influence and action
Flood susceptibility assessment for improving the resilience capacity of railway infrastructure networks
Floods often cause significant damage to transportation infrastructure such as roads, railways, and bridges. This study identifies several topographic, environmental, and hydrological factors (slope, elevation, rainfall, land use and cover, distance from rivers, geology, topographic wetness index, and drainage density) influencing the safety of the railway infrastructure and uses multi-criteria analysis (MCA) alongside an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to produce flood susceptibility maps within a geographic information system (GIS). The proposed methodology was applied to the catchment area of a railway track in southern Italy that was heavily affected by a destructive flood that occurred in the autumn of 2015. Two susceptibility maps were obtained, one based on static geophysical factors and another including triggering rainfall (dynamic). The results showed that large portions of the railway line are in a very highly susceptible zone. The flood susceptibility maps were found to be in good agreement with the post-disaster flood-induced infrastructural damage recorded along the railway, whilst the official inundation maps from competent authorities fail to supply information about flooding occurring along secondary tributaries and from direct rainfall. The reliable identification of sites susceptible to floods and damage may provide railway and environmental authorities with useful information for preparing disaster management action plans, risk analysis, and targeted infrastructure maintenance/monitoring programs, improving the resilience capacity of the railway network. The proposed approach may offer railway authorities a cost-effective strategy for rapidly screening flood susceptibility at regional/national levels and could also be applied to other types of linear transport infrastructures
Risk perception and vulnerability of value: a study in the context of commercial property sector
© 2016 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) Press, and Taylor & Francis. The research was developed linking the impact of flood risk on utility, desirability and marketability related to vulnerability of commercial property value. Likert style questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain data from flood affected and un-affected respondents across different designated flood risk zones on key business and perception variables among two groups of business property holders in England. The responses were analysed through a spatial vulnerability model to illustrate the distribution of the vulnerability of value of properties among flood plain business holders on a GIS platform. Majority of respondents perceived that utility of properties may be hampered by flooding and subsequently have an impact on value for property at risk. Those with flood experience gave greater weight to their specific business needs such as the prime location and expected income level than those without flood experience. The implication of the study lies in understanding that flood risk perceptions can shape actions of people at risk towards future increase in resilience having strategic impact on value of property saleability in the future
Assessing the value of intangible benefits of property level flood risk adaptation (PLFRA) measures
© 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. Studies in the UK and elsewhere have identified that flooding can result in diverse impacts, ranging from significant financial costs (tangible) to social (intangible) impacts on households. At the same time, it is now clear that large-scale flood defence schemes are not the panacea to flood risk, and there is an increasing responsibility on property owners to protect their own properties. Hence, there is an emerging expectation for homeowners to take action in the form of investing in property level flood risk adaptation (PLFRA) measures to protect their properties. However, hitherto the level of uptake of such measures remains very low. The tangible financial benefits of investing in PLFRA measures are generally well understood and have been demonstrated to be cost beneficial for many properties at risk from frequent flooding. Importantly, these estimates tend to take little account of the value of the intangible benefits of PLFRA measures and therefore may be under estimating their full benefits. There remains a need to develop an improved understanding of these intangible benefits, and this research sets out to bridge this knowledge gap. Based on a synthesis of the literature, the contingent valuation method was selected as a means to value intangible impacts of flooding on households. A questionnaire survey of homeowners affected in the 2007 flooding was employed to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) values to avoid the intangible impacts of flooding on their households. The analysis of the questionnaire survey data revealed that the average WTP per household per year to avoid intangible flood impacts was £653. This therefore represents the value of the intangible benefits of investing in PLFRA measures and is significantly higher than previously estimated. This research builds on previous research in suggesting a higher value to the intangible impacts of flooding on households by assessing wider range of intangible impacts and focussing on more experienced individuals. Furthermore, the research indicates that factors which influence the WTP values were principally stress of flood, worrying about loss of house values, worrying about future flooding and age of respondents, with income showing a weak correlation. The establishment of a new value for the intangible impacts of flooding on households in the UK is helpful in the domain of flood risk management when evaluating the total benefits (tangible and intangible) of investing in flood protection measures, thus providing a robust assessment for decision-making on flood adaptation measures at an individual property level
Accessibility of flood risk insurance in the UK: confusion, competition and complacency
ABSTRACT Flood risk insurance can be an effective tool in assisting the restoration of damaged property after a flood event and sustaining communities through difficult times. It can also form part of a wider flood risk management strategy. In the light of recent flood events in the UK and in the context of changing property insurance markets the universal cover previously enjoyed by floodplain residents has been called into question. Conflicting media and industry views leave the floodplain resident and the wider community in confusion. A survey of floodplain residents in England regarding their experience with flooding and flood insurance in England has been undertaken. The results reveal that some floodplain residents do indeed encounter difficulties when seeking insurance for their homes. However, despite the risk averse policies of some insurers, availability of insurance is still strong in both at risk and previously flooded locations which may lead to complacency among residents. As a tool in risk management therefore the competitive market is hampered by homeowners search strategies and lack of information from realizing its potential
Prioritising materials procurement and construction waste management attributes
Construction and demolition waste constitutes the largest municipal solid waste (MSW) globally with environmental concerns. However, waste management is not considered a priority objective in construction compared to time and cost. Therefore, construction practitionersâ waste management priority is evaluated in this study. A review of the literature revealed waste management attributes from multiple perspectives. A questionnaire survey was adopted to solicit practitionersâ contributions on their importance. Then, the attributes were prioritised and categorised into high, medium and low priorities using the Voting Analytical Hierarchy Process (VAHP). Empirical results indicate that the high priority materials procurement attributes were alliance with suppliers, a take-back clause in suppliersâ agreement document, accurate material quantification, accurate material ordering, and just-in-time delivery (JIT) plan. Senior managersâ early commitment to waste minimisation, effective communication among project participants, making subcontractors responsible for their waste, identifying recyclable materials and identifying reusable materials were high-priority attributes for managing waste in the construction stage. The findings of this study indicate areas where contractors should focus effort to improve waste management in the industry by collaborating with subcontractors and suppliers. Future studies should focus on developing frameworks that provide actionable means for implementing waste management attributes identified in this research
Lifestyle and language barriers influence community engagement with green infrastructure
Few studies have focused on value structures, experiences, and cultural diversity as it relates to bioswale planning and implementation. We used âPoint of Opportunity Interactionsâ to understand previously undocumented views of the Cantonese-speaking immigrant community regarding bioswale design and use for stormwater management in Portland, Oregon, USA. Approximately half of participants were not aware of bioswale function. Maintenance costs and aesthetics were noted concerns, but parking and safety were not. Lack of outreach materials in the Chinese language(s), evening and weekend work schedules, and lack of clarity about maintenance responsibility were among barriers to public participation. Overall, lack of trust for the city and city officials was apparent, and hindered outreach and engagement. Emphasis on informality and place-based data collection near bioswales as neutral outdoors spaces, andproximate to participant residences, facilitated communication with this âhard-to-reachâ population and revealed information that would have gone unknown using traditional outreach strategies
Lifestyle and Language Barriers Influence Community Engagement with Green Infrastructure.
Few studies have focused on value structures, experiences, and cultural diversity as it relates to bioswale planning and implementation. We used \u27Point of Opportunity Interactions\u27 to understand previously undocumented views of the Cantonese-speaking immigrant community regarding bioswale design and use for stormwater management in Portland, Oregon, USA. Approximately half of participants were not aware of bioswale function. Maintenance costs and aesthetics were noted concerns, but parking and safety were not. Lack of outreach materials in the Chinese language(s), evening and weekend work schedules, and lack of clarity about maintenance responsibility were among barriers to public participation. Overall, lack of trust for the city and city officials was apparent, and hindered outreach and engagement. Emphasis on informality and place-based data collection near bioswales as neutral outdoors spaces, and proximate to participant residences, facilitated communication with this \u27hard-to-reach\u27 population and revealed information that would have gone unknown using traditional outreach strategies