Assessing sustainable development of flood mitigation projects using an innovative sustainability assessment framework

Sustainability assessments of flood mitigation projects are crucial for achieving sustainable development of floodplains. This article presents the application of an innovative sustainability assessment (SA) framework for flood mitigation projects throughout its life. The research employed a literature review, consultation with experts, and a case study of a flood mitigation project in Australia. The sustainability assessment framework includes five stages: (a) contextualizing the project; (b) SA at the planning and implementation stage; (c) SA during a flood event; (d) SA at regular intervals; and (e) SA during a change or modification phase. The results of the sustainability assessment at the first two stages of the flood mitigation project suggest how the sustainability index (SI) could be used to choose the best design options. Also, the study presents how the achievement toward sustainability of the finally constructed project could be compared with the planned project using the SI score. Sustainability assessment at Stages 3–5, carried out with possible scenarios, demonstrates that the project's sustainability could be hindered by the growing number of vulnerable population and property development in the floodplain without an upgrade of the project. The findings suggest the applicability of the SA framework for better decision‐making for sustainable flood risk management

A Conceptual Framework for Vulnerability and Risk Assessment in the Context of Nature-Based Solutions to Hydro-Meteorological Risks

Various frameworks for vulnerability and risk assessment of social-ecological systems (SES) to natural hazards have been developed addressing different contexts. However, none were specifically developed in the context of implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) to hydro-meteorological risks. Since the basic concepts and principles of NBS are mainly focused on ensuring balance between ecological and social benefits, the entire vulnerability and risk assessment process should focus equally on various social and ecological components of a location where an NBS would be implemented. As a part of the OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage hydro-meteo risks (OPERANDUM) project, this research proposes a conceptual framework for vulnerability and risk assessment in the context of NBS to hydro-meteorological risks. This conceptual framework is developed mainly considering the major components of the existing Delta-SES risk assessment framework (Sebesvari et al. 2016) and other similar frameworks proposed in recent studies, as well as the proposed principles for NBS endorsed by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The major components of the framework include: (i) the exposure of SES to multiple hydro-meteorological hazards (e.g., flood, drought); (ii) vulnerability of SES that consists of ecosystem susceptibility, social susceptibility, ecosystem robustness, and coping and adaptive capacity of the social system; (iii) risks in the NBS project site determined by the combination of hazard exposure and vulnerability; and (iv) the impacts of hydro-meteorological hazards on the SES surrounding or within the NBS project site. While the basic space of risk assessment would be the NBS project site (usually at the local level within sub-catchments) with specific SES characteristics, this framework also reflects the interrelationships between ecosystem and social system as well as the effects of multiple hazards and risks at local up to the global scales. The framework also considers the changes over time that would capture the maturation time lag of the ecological components of an NBS, as well as the sustainability of the system with the intervention of NBS and other risk reduction measures. An indicator-based risk assessment approach can be used to operationalize the framework. To facilitate that, an indicator library has been developed comprising of indicators for different exposure and vulnerability components of the framework. The proposed framework can be applicable to any geographical conditions where an NBS project is to be implemented to reduce hydro-meteorological risks. The framework can also be tailored for other natural hazards (e.g. geological hazards like earthquake) and anthropogenic hazards (e.g. pollution). We will explain the conceptualisation process of the framework and of the indicator library and how these will be tested within the OPERANDUM project in the context of NBS implementation

Towards an operationalisation of nature-based solutions for natural hazards

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are being promoted as adaptive measures against predicted increasing hydrometeorological hazards (HMHs), such as heatwaves and floods which have already caused significant loss of life and economic damage across the globe. However, the underpinning factors such as policy framework, end-users' interests and participation for NBS design and operationalisation are yet to be established. We discuss the operationalisation and implementation processes of NBS by means of a novel concept of Open-Air Laboratories (OAL) for its wider acceptance. The design and implementation of environmentally, economically, technically and socio-culturally sustainable NBS require inter- and transdisciplinary approaches which could be achieved by fostering co-creation processes by engaging stakeholders across various sectors and levels, inspiring more effective use of skills, diverse knowledge, manpower and resources, and connecting and harmonising the adaptation aims. The OAL serves as a benchmark for NBS upscaling, replication and exploitation in policy-making process through monitoring by field measurement, evaluation by key performance indicators and building solid evidence on their short- and long-term multiple benefits in different climatic, environmental and socio-economic conditions, thereby alleviating the challenges of political resistance, financial barriers and lack of knowledge. We conclude that holistic management of HMHs by effective use of NBS can be achieved with standard compliant data for replicating and monitoring NBS in OALs, knowledge about policy silos and interaction between research communities and end-users. Further research is needed for multi-risk analysis of HMHs and inclusion of NBS into policy frameworks, adaptable at local, regional and national scales leading to modification in the prevalent guidelines related to HMHs. The findings of this work can be used for developing synergies between current policy frameworks, scientific research and practical implementation of NBS in Europe and beyond for its wider acceptance

A global assessment of actors and their roles in climate change adaptation

An assessment of the global progress in climate change adaptation is urgently needed. Despite a rising awareness that adaptation should involve diverse societal actors and a shared sense of responsibility, little is known about the types of actors, such as state and non-state, and their roles in different types of adaptation responses as well as in different regions. Based on a large n-structured analysis of case studies, we show that, although individuals or households are the most prominent actors implementing adaptation, they are the least involved in institutional responses, particularly in the global south. Governments are most often involved in planning and civil society in coordinating responses. Adaptation of individuals or households is documented especially in rural areas, and governments in urban areas. Overall, understanding of institutional, multi-actor and transformational adaptation is still limited. These findings contribute to debates around ‘social contracts’ for adaptation, that is, an agreement on the distribution of roles and responsibilities, and inform future adaptation governance

A linear cost minimization model for water supply system with constrained sources

Municipal water supply systems primarily depend on surface and groundwater sources to meet the demand. Water quantity and quality limitations of the sources often impose economic constraints on system operation requiring additional treatment cost including more expensive alternative sources in the system. It increases the cost of water production. Selection of the appropriate water-sources to minimize production cost is a challenging task when the system depends on multiple sources having different attributes and cost coefficients. This paper presents a linear cost minimization model for such a multiple-source groundwater-based water supply system. The model decides on the optimum production amount from each source with the objective of cost minimization for a specified set of demand and source constraints. The model would be useful for system analysis, planning and management purposes such as, analyzing water production at various levels of system loss or unaccounted-for water (UFW), or determining optimal production schedule under different system operation scenarios. The model is applied to simulate a groundwater-based sub-network of Dhaka city water supply system where seasonal demand from the system is the highest, when the groundwater level is relatively low, and water production cost varies with the operation mode of the deep tube wells (DTWs). Model results show that significant cost reduction would be possible in different operational scenarios through optimal production scheduling at various UFW levels while ensuring a minimum supply to the local coverage areas of the DTWs

Impact of Sea Level Rise on Suitability of Agriculture and Fisheries: A Case Study on Southwest Region of Bangladesh

No abstract available