Integration of sustainable and technological approaches to flood risk management systems in coastal and delta cities

Abstract

Floods are among the most significant global problems that 21st century cities are facing today. Especially with the effects of climate change, change in frequency and intensity of precipitation also affect the frequency and intensity of floods. Also, urbanization and industrialization cause to increase the intensity of human activities and the diversity of different sectors dramatically in various parts of the coastal areas and river basins in economically developing countries such as Turkey. Flash floods are significantly increasing and these sudden changing conditions disrupt the hydrological balance and also, flood disasters can result in loss of life and property in delta and coastal areas. Therefore, in coastal cities and additionally for delta areas, there is a need for sustainable flood management strategies that can be adapted to new conditions and integrated into long-term smart urban systems at local scale. In this context, the aim of this study is to reveal a general review by examining the global sustainable and technological approaches that are developed for flood risk management at structural and non-structural levels. Primarily, flood risk management systems in UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, China and USA will be examined generally and then put forward a comparative analysis of the existing flood risk management strategy plans in Turkey. Especially in Turkey, generating of flood risk management plans for short term periods from historical data and trends retard to future oriented design smart city systems which should also include long term climatic scenarios and uncertain conditions