Review on Resilient Spatial Planning Strategies to Reduce Urban Flood Risks: Fid-Bau Portal

Review on Resilient Spatial Planning Strategies to Reduce Urban Flood Risks

Patil, D. G. / Kashid, S. S.

Urban flooding is becoming a global problem due to changes in rainfall distribution patterns and inadequate infrastructure planning. We see many cities are getting flooded every year worldwide, including Pune, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolhapur in India. We carried out a review of research by different researchers with respect to land use–land cover change detection, the impact of urban sprawl in intensifying the flood hazard of the city, rainfall-runoff modeling using different software, effective storm water drainage management and urban planning legislation to control urban floods. We found that significantly less research is carried out to explore how urban planning is linked to urban flooding. Many times, urban flooding is considered as a result of excess rainfall only and effects of urban developments in the watershed are not considered. The traditional flood control measures will include regular corrective actions of local characters based on analysis done after each flooding. New urbanized areas will generate more runoff, and huge funds will be required to improve the working of structures and proper drainage. Still, it will not stop floods completely worldwide. There is a need for metropolitan region development authority at the early stage of city growth to coordinate effectively between different departments and urban local bodies. Hydrological studies of basins need to be carried out while planning for cities through development plan preparation and expansion of city limits considering growth pattern, increase in paved surface area and ultimately its relationship with runoff. Accordingly, stream sizes and networks can be planned for new urbanized scenarios and hydrological conditions. Different reservations should be proposed for urban facilities considering elevations, contours and flood modeling studies. We conclude that improved urban planning practices and newly updated legislations for urban development can control the endemic flooding problem in many cities in future.