Risk based urban watershed management under conflicting objectives

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Urban Hydrology and Ecology
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Applications

Background:

• Urbanization frequently leads to ecological impairment and increased flooding risks within watersheds.
• Traditional flood control measures often conflict with ecological preservation goals, causing habitat destruction and water quality degradation.
• Existing risk assessment methods for urban streams require integration with ecological considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe methodologies for numerically assessing present and future ecological and flood risks in urban watersheds using GIS.
• To explore an optimal solution for conflicting urban flood control and ecological restoration objectives.
• To link risk assessment with risk communication, perception, and public willingness to pay for integrated projects.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for risk assessment in urban watersheds and stream networks.
• Developing methodologies to quantify ecological impairment and flooding risks.
• Integrating risk assessment with socio-economic factors like public willingness to pay and stakeholder engagement.

Main Results:

• Quantifiable risk assessment for urban flooding and ecological impairment is achievable using GIS.
• An integrated approach can reconcile flood protection with stream ecological preservation and restoration.
• Public willingness to pay and stakeholder backing are crucial for successful implementation of urban stream management projects.

Conclusions:

• GIS-based risk assessment provides a robust framework for managing urban water systems.
• Balancing flood control and ecological restoration requires a holistic approach considering public perception and economic factors.
• Alternative methods for expressing project benefits are needed to secure support for urban stream management initiatives.