Urban water infrastructure planning of regeneration works in the city of Lorca after the earthquake of 2011 and floods of 2012

Abstract

The earthquakes of May 11, 2011 and the floods of September 28, 2012 in the city of Lorca caused most damage to the buildings and urban water infrastructure. To perform reconstruction and urban regeneration in the city, the Ministry of Publics Works and Territorial Management of the Region of Murcia and Lorca Town Hall have planned an important set of urbanization and infrastructure works through funds from the European Investment Bank. These works are primarily intended for the repair of the urban water infrastructure (water supply and sanitation networks) damaged by the earthquake and the construction of new flood control systems (collectors, storm tanks, etc.) within the city. The process has been developed through a detailed study of the damage caused by the quake in underground infrastructures throughout the city and assessing the risks of flooding in the urban plot for different return periods. This paper shows the two main results of these studies. On one hand, the process of urban planning of the works performed will be analysed, following the structure of neighbourhoods in the city of Lorca and using GIS assessment methods of flood risk. On the other hand, the most interesting solutions related to new water infrastructure will be presented which will help to improve the response of the city against future floods.