FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE - INNOVATION IN POLICY AND PRACTICE

In recent years major floods have occurred across Europe causing serious damages and huge financial implications. Flood risk and vulnerability is increasing with increased frequency of occurrence of extreme events due to climate change, changes in land-use, encroachment into floodplains and increasing economic value of assets and businesses. Human lives, property, environment and socio-economics are at increasing risk due to flooding. Recent alarming events in Central Europe, UK and The Netherlands have provided renewed impetus to the development of improved policies and techniques for flood risk management across Europe. Sharing of knowledge and understanding of the practical problems, dilemmas and challenges will aid in the development and implementation of new technologies and strategies of the challenging issues of flood risk management in Europe. This valuable edition brings together 26 peer reviewed articles on technical, socio-economic, environmental and policy aspects of flood risk management. These articles contribute to the five sections with the general themes: I) flood risk management practice, II) flood events and impacts, III) flood analysis and modelling IV) flood forecasting and V) flood risk management policy. Some emerging technologies are presented and several future challenges are identified.