According to the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT), over the last seventy years, floods have shown the fastest rate of increase relative to any other type of disasters. Devastation due to these events occurs almost daily. Even though our technological capabilities for dealing with floods have advanced rapidly over the same period, and while global economic growth per capita has doubled, flood events have become ever more disastrous. Does this mean that our technological developments have advanced independently from the social and wider ecological needs? Flood Risk: The Holistic Perspective is a direct response to this question and it argues that this paradoxical situation is a result from our narrow and fragmented perception of reality which has been characteristic of our academic disciplines and government agencies. It suggests that the way forward can be found only if we broaden our view and learn how the natural or social phenomena can provoke a response in a society, or a social group, which in turn can trigger the technical developments, and so on, again and again, in what has the potential to become a network of interactions and relationships through positive feedback (or coevolving) cycles. The holistic perspective however may raise the following question: If everything is connected to everything else, how can we ever hope to understand anything? Our response draws from the understandings brought by complexity theory where individual elements coevolve together both in development and application. This recognition opens a new analysis which goes beyond the direct objects or actors of concern (risk forecasting, early warning, land-use planning technology and systems for example), and into the relationships between them. The book suggests that our initial response to this and many other challenges is to change our perception from a disciplinary and defensive one to a progressive (or transcendental) and transdiciplinary, i.e., the one that turns challenges into the possibilities that can re-shape our future. The book is structured in eight chapters. Chapter 1 provides exposure to the complexity of flood-related issues and illustrates diversity of multiple points of view. Chapter 2 elaborates on the history of holistic thinking with connection to the flood resilience process. Chapter 3 discusses the holistic risk governance approach which progresses beyond the integrated urban flood management. Chapter 4 describes the Green Cities Initiative, an initiative which is essentially holistic in its nature as it aims to improve transport, energy efficiency, industrial metabolism including water supply and distribution as well as drainage and sewerage services through the holistic lens of interactions between different sectors. Chapter 5 discusses various risk assessment practices and it concludes that any practice that omits social, ethical and wider ecological points of view will be severely restricted in its scope and its reach. Chapter 6 describes the root causes of floods in the Pasig-Marikina River Basin in Metro Manila, Philippines. Chapter 7 reflects upon the key issues and challenges from 2011 Thailand floods. Finally, Chapter 8 presents some of the key aspects concerning urban stormwater management practice in Beijing, China.

Generally, construction of dams is regarded as means of economic progress in many countries. Major consequences of such projects are the inundation of upstream areas and the resettlement of entire communities in newly-built environments where they experience dramatic transformation in their lifestyles. The present study takes the Nubian resettlement experience after the creation of Lake Nasser that submerged their old settlements, along the river Nile. Following their resettlement, the design of the newly-built environment disrupted the Nubian traditional lifestyles and patterns of privacy mechanisms, territoriality and social interaction. The inadequacy of the newly-built environment was mainly attributed to the Nubians' transfer from spacious homes in the old villages to compact contiguous houses in the new settlements. The arrangement of these resettlement state built houses, distributed on the basis of household size, has further resulted in the fragmentation and the dispersion of traditional kinship-based neighborhoods. Within an interdisciplinary approach, the study is based on theoretical, historical and conceptual themes and on empirical research. It sets out to examine the households' responses towards, and adaptation mechanisms with, the newly-built environment, looking critically at the achievements of imposed top-down planning in meeting the socio-cultural and economic needs of those resettled.

This history explores the story of federal contributions to dam planning, design, and construction by carefully selecting those dams and river systems that seem particularly critical to the story. The history also addresses some of the negative environmental consequences of dam-building, a series of problems that today both Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seek to resolve.

Maintaining the Safety of our Dams and Reservoirs covers a wide range of topics which are of direct relevance to all who work with dams and reservoirs, whether in the UK or abroad, be they owners, maintainers, designers or constructors. The changes to the UK's legislative frameworks for dam safety are covered, as are examples of the many environmental factors to be taken into account, not just for the construction of new dams but also for alterations and repairs. Several papers provide examples of the planning or construction of new dams, while many deal with upgrades and repairs to existing dams, some as the results of unforeseen incidents.

Pipelines for Water Conveyance and Drainage offers a concise listing and description of 11 types of pipe commonly used for water conveyance and drainage. For each type of pipe, 20 characteristics are described, including such physical attributes as material, available sizes, standard lengths, protective linings and coatings, joints, and fittings. Performance characteristics include allowable internal pressure, external load capabilities, hydraulic resistance factor, wave speed, allowable leakage rates, and water quality tolerances. Installation and maintenance criteria include specifications; tapping methods; repair methods; installation, backfill, and protective requirements; and useful life. Information about common standards, industry groups, and reference publications is also included. This Manual of Practice (MOP) pertains to the following types of pipe: concrete, welded steel, ductile iron, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pressure, polyethylene profile wall, PVC and polypropylene profile wall, corrugated polyethylene, fiberglass, corrugated metal, and vitrified clay pipe and clay drain tile. Design engineers, utility managers, planners, and educators will find MOP 125 to be an essential reference for designing, installing, and maintaining pipelines that convey water and drainage.

Our world is constantly changing, governed by continuity, dynamic interactions and boundary conditions. For many coasts, the common denominators contributing to these changes are sand, waves, tides, salt gradients, and human interaction, all themes that are treated in this valuable textbook. Confining itself to essentials, the coverage reflects centuries of theoretical and practical knowledge of Dutch coastal engineers. Focussing, where applicable, on linear theory, the book shows how the essentials of local coastal behavior can be reproduced and predicted.

Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. A complete guide to the management and restoration of water in karst environmentsWritten by the co-chair of the Karst Commission of the International Association of Hydrogeologists, this book addresses the unique challenges related to the characterization, management, and protection of karst aquifers, which are present on all continents and numerous oceanic islands. Water in Karst describes karst hydrogeology and hydrology, surface water-groundwaterinteractions, site investigation, data collection,delineation of drainage areas, groundwater extraction,regulatory issues, and water vulnerability and restoration. Predictive modeling methods and solutionsto resource contamination and overexploitation are included. Photos, diagrams, and an eight-page colorinsert illustrate the concepts presented in this practical,comprehensive reference. WATER IN KARST COVERS: Karst aquifers Flow measurements and analysis Drainage areas in karst General principles of water management Regulations and education Predictive models Floods, droughts, and climate change Groundwater extraction Engineering regulation of karst aquifers and springs Vulnerability of water in karst Restoration of water in karst

This Handbook offers 'how to' ideas to help infrastructure practitioners identify good practice improvements in communication, starting with the World Bank s own expanding portfolio of dam projects. In-depth case studies prepared for this Handbook show the considerable scope, value added, and many practical reasons to link governance, sustainability, and communication aspects at all stages of the project cycle. The Handbook reflects a philosophy of continuous improvement in development practices. Improving communication in dam planning and management not only achieves consensus on imbedding anti-corruption measures in projects but also builds multi-stakeholder partnerships that are fundamental to advance the wider development effectiveness of large dams and creates synergy to combat poverty with sustainable infrastructure provision."

Flooding claims many lives worldwide each year. In addition, many more lives are affected by homelessness, disease and crop failures as a result of floods' destructiveness. The number of recent flood events coupled with climate change predictions and urban development, suggest that these statistics are likely to worsen in the future. Flooding in populated areas can cause substantial property damage as well as threaten human life. Apart from the obvious physical damage to buildings, contents and loss of life, there other more indirect losses that are often overlooked. These intangible impacts are generally associated with disruption to normal life as well as longer term health issues, including stress-related illness. The conference papers cover the following topics: Flood Risk Management; Flood Risk Vulnerability; Emergency Preparedness and Response; Flood Forecasting; Flood Case Studies; Responses to Reduce Vulnerability to Flooding.

3rd edition. Describes the Bureau of Reclamation's experience in the design and construction of dams and control works. Illustrated throughout.

Even with all the advances in technologies, humans continue to suffer from the consequences of flooding century after century. This book covers two pertinent topics: flood risk and flood management. Experts world-wide share their knowledge on these topics and highlight solutions to the flooding problems in the 21st century. Topics discussed in this book include spatial explicit multi-criteria flood risk; identification of social obstacles in solving flooding problems in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina; participative planning processes in flood risk management and in integrated watershed management; new economic instrument for integrated management of muddy flow risks; flood hazard mapping using hydrodynamic modelling approach; and simulation of flood reduction by means of complex structural measures using hydrodynamic modelling and aerial photogrammetry-derived digital surface model (DSM).

This paper considers the multi-faceted lessons of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and how the project can serve as a model of mutually beneficial development, though demonstrating the benefits of a bilateral governmental cooperative approach in the development of an international river. These benefits include exceeding the impact of individual national approaches and strengthening political cooperation among all participants. This model is particularly relevant since approximately 40 percent of the world s population lives in transboundary river basins and more than 90 percent of the world s population lives within countries that share these basins."

Coastal lagoons are fragile ecosystems that account for 13-15 percent of the world's littoral zone. Coastal lagoons constitute an essential environmental reservoir for fluvial sediments due to their capacity to retain them and also the accompanied elemental pollutants. In recent times it has been a common practice to redistribute large amount of coastal sediments for beach nourishment projects to combat shoreline retreat. The problem of beach/shoreline recession/erosion are as a result escalating impacts of emerging global geophysical changes, such as rising sea levels, and coastal development. This book examines the environmental effects of engineered solutions of massive dredge-and-fill methods which have been adopted world-wide in regard to the issue of shoreline erosion.

The story of the Mulberry harbours must rank among the most remarkable to emerge from the Second World War. In terms of engineering achievement, it is surely one of the greatest of all time.Allied planners correctly anticipated that the Germans would deny, either by destruction or dogged defence, the vital Channel ports in the aftermath of D-Day. If the invading armies could not be kept resupplied, OVERLORD would fail. The only solution was to design, build, transport and install two massive artificial harbours.How this highly ambitious plan was implemented is told with clarity and authority in this superb book. The text, admirably free of unnecessary technical jargon, is well supported with photographs, diagrams and tables, which demonstrate vividly the scale of this great venture. The irony is that the real enemy turned out not to be the Germans but the elements. Code Name Mulberry is a first class account of all aspects of this extraordinary chapter in the history of the Second World War.

Floods are among the most common and devasting natural disasters. In the wake of such an event, the pressure to initiate flood protection schemes that will provide security is enormous, and politicians promise quick solutions in the national interest. Jeroen Warner examines a number of such projects from around the world, including the Middle East, South Asia and Western Europe, aimed at the prevention of serious flooding. Each provoked a level of controversy unforeseen by its initiators, with the result that schemes were shelved, were not completed, or simply failed. The author shows how such projects inevitably become politicised as different stakeholders seek to promote their interests. This book is the first detailed account of the politics and decision-making surrounding flood planning and of the lessons to be learned.

Random waves are the most important constituent of the sea environment, as they make the design of maritime structures quite different from that of structures on land. In this book, the concept of random waves for the design of breakwaters, seawalls, and harbor structures is fully explored for easy comprehension by practicing engineers. Theoretical aspects are also discussed in detail for further studies by graduate students and researchers.

Approaches to avoid loss of life and limit disruption and damage from flooding have changed significantly in recent years. Worldwide, there has been a move from a strategy of flood defence to one of flood risk management. Flood risk management includes flood prevention using hard defences, where appropriate, but also requires that society learns to live with floods and that stakeholders living in flood prone areas develop coping strategies to increase their resilience to flood impacts when these occur. This change in approach represents a paradigm shift which stems from the realisation that continuing to strengthen and extend conventional flood defences is unsustainable economically, environmentally, and in terms of social equity. Flood risk management recognises that a sustainable approach must rest on integrated measures that reduce not only the probability of flooding, but also the consequences. This is essential as increases in the probability of inundation are inevitable in many areas of the world due to climate change, while socio-economic development will lead to spiralling increases in the consequences of flooding unless land use in floodplains is carefully planned.

Flood Risk Science and Management provides an extensive and comprehensive synthesis of current research in flood management; providing a multi-disciplinary reference text covering a wide range of flood management topics. Its targeted readership is the international research community (from research students through to senior staff) and flood management professionals, such as engineers, planners, government officials and those with flood management responsibility in the public sector. By using the concept of case study chapters, international coverage is given to the topic, ensuring a world-wide relevance.