Abstract
Flood risk reduction strategies play an important role in flood risk management (FRM) and these strategies are being co-designed with the engagement of the stakeholder through multiple consultations and co-designing sessions. Effective participation of stakeholders in interactive work sessions requires fast and accurate modeling systems with a user-friendly interface, which can simulate the impact due to various flood reduction measures selected by the stakeholders and also generate outputs that can be understood by all stakeholders, especially those who are not FRM specialists. Presenting an easy-to-understand tool with easy inputs and outputs for a variety of stakeholders and at the same time providing reliable and accurate results for a range of scenarios and interventions is a challenge. Seven requirements that are essential for a user-friendly flood risk tool were used to develop an instant flood risk modeling tool. This paper presents a web-based hydraulic tool, i.e., instant flood risk model (Inform), to support FRM in the urban center of Can Tho city (Ninh Kieu district), Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Inform was developed based on (i) a simplified 1D model for the entire Mekong Delta; and (ii) flood hazard and damage maps, and estimated flood damage for Ninh Kieu district in Can Tho city obtained directly from the 1D/2D coupled model for Ninh Kieu district. Inform rapidly generates flood levels, flood hazard and damage maps, estimated damages. Pilot testing with experts confirmed that Inform qualifies as a reliable co-design tool for developing FRM strategies as it features an inbuilt input library, comprises flexible options, easy to use, produces quick results and has a user-friendly interface. With the help of an interactive web-based tool such as Inform presented here, it is possible to co-design FRM strategies for Can Tho or any other city that is subject to flood risk.
Highlights
Developing flood risk reduction strategies to minimize damage caused by floods is the primary objective of any flood risk management (FRM) strategy
This paper presents an interactive, web-based tool, instant flood risk model (Inform), which was developed based on: (i) a simplified 1D model for the entire Mekong Delta; and (ii) flood hazard and damage maps, as well as on estimated impacts for the urban center of Can
Inform has been developed with all the essential features of a co-design tool for a wide range of stakeholders
Summary
Flooding is one of the most frequently occurring and damaging natural disasters worldwide [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Approximate 250 million people in the world are affected by floods every year [7], and the annual average economic losses have exceeded 40 billion USD in recent years [8]. Developing flood risk reduction strategies to minimize damage caused by floods is the primary objective of any FRM strategy. Collaborative learning and designing among stakeholders are an increasing trend in local FRM [9,10,11]. The importance of stakeholder engagement (e.g., citizens and interest groups, businesses, officials, and decision-makers) in the selection and implementation of flood risk reduction measures is widely acknowledged
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