Mapping of the Flood Distribution in an Urban Environment: The Case of Palma (Mallorca, Spain) in the First Two Decades of the 21st Century

Joan Rosselló-Geli,Miquel Grimalt-Gelabert

doi:10.3390/earth2040056

Abstract

The City of Palma de Mallorca has been historically affected by flood events, with the latest flood of great magnitude occurring in 1962. After decades without large flooding events, since the start of the 21st century, 28 floods have been identified within the city boundaries. As change in the spatial location of these events has been observed, a research to identify where the floods are located nowadays and which causes can be related to such distribution has been undertaken. Six types of floods were identified and the events classified accordingly, with the deficient planned infrastructures, flat urban areas without defined drainage and coastal sectors the three most common types. The results highlight the importance of the urban sprawl and malpractices related to flood risk areas, thus increasing the occurrence of floods of less spatial impact but with greater disturbance on the daily activity of the city inhabitants. Nevertheless, some uncertainties are identified in this research, demonstrating the need of further investigations.

Highlights

The complexity of urban environments, with high concentration of population and properties, increases when those areas are affected by natural hazards, such as rainstorms and the resulting floods
This study analyses the temporal and spatial distribution of floods affecting the city of Palma in the first two decades of the 21st century and the probable causes of such distribution
Large events, related to extreme torrential rainfall, have not affected the basin since the

Summary

Introduction

The complexity of urban environments, with high concentration of population and properties, increases when those areas are affected by natural hazards, such as rainstorms and the resulting floods. Those events are a common feature in the Mediterranean region [1]. Flooding is the main damaging weather-related disaster around the world. Between 1995 and 2005, floods affected 2.3 billion people and accounted for 47% of all weather-related disasters [6]. Floods affecting urban areas are not new.

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion