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Urban population growth dramatically alters material and energy
fluxes in the affected areas, with concomitant changes in
landscape, altered fluxes of water, sediment, chemicals and
pathogens and increased releases of waste heat. These changes then
impact on urban ecosystems, including water resources and result in
their degradation. Such circumstances make the provision of water
services to urban populations even more challenging. Changing
weather patterns, rising temperature and large variations in
precipitation contr- ute to increased damages, caused by weather
related disasters, including floods. Ones of the major contributors
to increasing flood peaks are land use changes and particularl-
urban development. Consequently, there is a need to look for low
environmental impact land development and to manage runoff in urban
areas by storm water management. Much progress in the management of
urban waters has been achieved in the most - vanced jurisdictions,
but much more remains to be done. In this respect the EC Water
Framework Directive can provide some guidance. Urban water
management issues are particularly important in the countries in
transition in Central and Eastern Europe. During the last decade
political, economical and social changes in the countries under
transition have influenced almost every element of the public
sector, including water services. There is an urgent need for
exchange of information among various countries on this issue and
for identification of best approaches to achieving this transition.
Urban population growth dramatically alters material and energy
fluxes in the affected areas, with concomitant changes in
landscape, altered fluxes of water, sediment, chemicals and
pathogens and increased releases of waste heat. These changes then
impact on urban ecosystems, including water resources and result in
their degradation. Such circumstances make the provision of water
services to urban populations even more challenging. Changing
weather patterns, rising temperature and large variations in
precipitation contr- ute to increased damages, caused by weather
related disasters, including floods. Ones of the major contributors
to increasing flood peaks are land use changes and particularl-
urban development. Consequently, there is a need to look for low
environmental impact land development and to manage runoff in urban
areas by storm water management. Much progress in the management of
urban waters has been achieved in the most - vanced jurisdictions,
but much more remains to be done. In this respect the EC Water
Framework Directive can provide some guidance. Urban water
management issues are particularly important in the countries in
transition in Central and Eastern Europe. During the last decade
political, economical and social changes in the countries under
transition have influenced almost every element of the public
sector, including water services. There is an urgent need for
exchange of information among various countries on this issue and
for identification of best approaches to achieving this transition.
Notwithstanding past achievements, flood damage continues to rise
throughout the world as the magnitudes of floods increase, partly
as a result of poor land management and partly by climate change,
growing populations and continuing development in flood-prone
areas, and the aging and deterioration of flood defences. One of
the major goals of water management is the protection of society
from floods. That issue is addressed here in terms of such broad
issues as flood analysis, flood impact, non-structural and
structural flood management measures. Non-structural measures focus
on flood plain management, flood insurance, flood forecasting and
warning, and emergency measures during floods. Structural measures
focus on catchment management, embankments and flood reservoirs.
Post-flood measures are also discussed. Future planning of flood
management should be based on a clear understanding of the
effectiveness interventions and their impacts on river catchment
ecosystems.
Notwithstanding past achievements, flood damage continues to rise
throughout the world as the magnitudes of floods increase, partly
as a result of poor land management and partly by climate change,
growing populations and continuing development in flood-prone
areas, and the aging and deterioration of flood defences. One of
the major goals of water management is the protection of society
from floods. That issue is addressed here in terms of such broad
issues as flood analysis, flood impact, non-structural and
structural flood management measures. Non-structural measures focus
on flood plain management, flood insurance, flood forecasting and
warning, and emergency measures during floods. Structural measures
focus on catchment management, embankments and flood reservoirs.
Post-flood measures are also discussed. Future planning of flood
management should be based on a clear understanding of the
effectiveness interventions and their impacts on river catchment
ecosystems.
In 1997 disastrous flooding running through the Czech Republic,
Poland, Germany took the lives of a great number of people and
caused economic damage estimated in tens of billions of dollars.
Flooding of the Yangtze river in 1998 killed more than 3000 people,
dislocated 230 million souls, and caused direct damage of more than
$ 45 billion. Both the general public and the experts are asking
what we can learn from these recent events to reduce loss of life
and flood damage. The 1997 floods were dealt with by experts from
the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany, who presented timely
reports on combatting floods, both success stories and
shortcomings. This experience is further extended by reports from
experts drawn from 13 other countries, developing a broad overview
of flood risk management, covering the ecosystem approach to flood
management, including socioeconomic issues, flood impacts on water
quality, human health, and natural ecosystems.
In 1997 disastrous flooding running through the Czech Republic,
Poland, Germany took the lives of a great number of people and
caused economic damage estimated in tens of billions of dollars.
Flooding of the Yangtze river in 1998 killed more than 3000 people,
dislocated 230 million souls, and caused direct damage of more than
$ 45 billion. Both the general public and the experts are asking
what we can learn from these recent events to reduce loss of life
and flood damage. The 1997 floods were dealt with by experts from
the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany, who presented timely
reports on combatting floods, both success stories and
shortcomings. This experience is further extended by reports from
experts drawn from 13 other countries, developing a broad overview
of flood risk management, covering the ecosystem approach to flood
management, including socioeconomic issues, flood impacts on water
quality, human health, and natural ecosystems.
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