An integrated approach to flood risk management and spatial quality for a Netherlands' river polder area.

Abstract

Deltas throughout the world are confronted with increasing flood risks. Flood risk can be defined as the product of probability and consequences of flooding (Hall et al. 2003). Flood risk management strategies in effect aim to reduce the probability and/or consequences of flooding events. These strategies evolve as flood risks increase, driven by factors such as subsidence, climate change, population growth and economic development. There is a strong relationship between flood risk management and spatial quality: New or improved flood defence infrastructure can have a significant impact on spatial quality, especially in urbanised deltas with (historic) built environments, such as the Netherlands (Klijn et al. 2013). Because of a growing appreciation of this relationship, spatial quality is increasingly incorporated in the objectives to be achieved in the development of flood risk management strategies. Flood risk management strategies in the Netherlands traditionally focus on reducing the probability of flooding (Klijn, this issue). The country is divided in dike-ring areas, i.e. areas that are protected against flooding from rivers, major lakes and the North Sea, through closed systems of dikes, dunes, dams, barriers and natural high grounds. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change (2015) 20:949–966 DOI 10.1007/s11027-015-9675-7