Improvements on Flood Alleviation in Germany: Lessons Learned from the Elbe Flood in August 2002 |
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Authors: | Theresia Petrow Annegret H Thieken Heidi Kreibich Bruno Merz Cord Heinrich Bahlburg |
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Institution: | (1) Section Engineering Hydrology, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, 14473, Potsdam, Germany;(2) Landesplanung & Landeskunde, Wundtstr. 20, 14059 Berlin, Germany |
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Abstract: | The increase in damage due to natural disasters is directly related to the number of people who live and work in hazardous
areas and continuously accumulate assets. Therefore, land use planning authorities have to manage effectively the establishment
and development of settlements in flood-prone areas in order to avoid the further increase of vulnerable assets. Germany faced
major destruction during the flood in August 2002 in the Elbe and Danube catchments, and many changes have been suggested
in the existing German water and planning regulations. This article presents some findings of a “Lessons Learned” study that
was carried out in the aftermath of the flood and discusses the following topics: 1) the establishment of comprehensive hazard
maps and flood protection concepts, 2) the harmonization of regulations of flood protection at the federal level, 3) the communication
of the flood hazard and awareness strategies, and 4) how damage potential can be minimized through measures of area precaution
such as resettlement and risk-adapted land use. Although attempts towards a coordinated and harmonized creation of flood hazard
maps and concepts have been made, there is still no uniform strategy at all planning levels and for all states (Lae
nder) of the Federal Republic of Germany. The development and communication of possible mitigation strategies for “unthinkable
extreme events” beyond the common safety level of a 100-year flood are needed. In order to establish a sustainable and integrated
flood risk management, interdisciplinary and catchment-based approaches are needed. |
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Keywords: | Spatial planning Hazard maps Risk communication Flood protection concepts Elbe |
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