Urban flood risk assessment using sewer flooding databases

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning
• Civil Engineering

Background:

• Sustainable water management is crucial globally.
• Urban flooding poses a significant challenge, impacting service levels.
• Identifying high-risk areas and assessing service provision is difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a methodology for measuring urban drainage service levels against flooding.
• To assist stakeholders in developing strategies for service improvement.
• To inform decision-makers on current flood risk and necessary mitigation actions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a database of sewer flood event records to assess flood risk.
• Incorporating territorial vulnerability and stakeholder perceptions into risk assessment.
• Implementing the methodology in case studies in Lyon and Mulhouse.

Main Results:

• The methodology enables quantitative assessment of urban drainage service levels.
• It facilitates the identification of areas with high sewer flooding risk.
• The approach provides actionable insights for risk reduction strategies.

Conclusions:

• The proposed methodology offers a practical tool for urban water managers.
• It enhances the understanding of flood risk by integrating diverse data sources.
• This work contributes to more effective and sustainable urban flood protection.