Flood resilience: consolidating knowledge between and within critical infrastructure sectors

Jonathan Pearson (), G. Punzo, M. Mayfield, G. Brighty, A. Parsons, P. Collins, S. Jeavons and A. Tagg
Additional contact information
Jonathan Pearson: The University of Warwick
G. Punzo: The University of Sheffield
M. Mayfield: The University of Sheffield
G. Brighty: ICE Blue
A. Parsons: ICE Blue
P. Collins: Brunel University London
S. Jeavons: Shoothill Ltd
A. Tagg: HR Wallingford

Environment Systems and Decisions, 2018, vol. 38, issue 3, 318-329

Abstract: Abstract Flood resilience has been rising up the political, economic and social agendas. Taking an integrated systems approach, using the right design guidance and tools and ensuring that education is in place for all stakeholders are three themes which are intrinsically linked to delivering flood resilience. This paper reviews these themes across the academic research, policy landscape and practitioner approaches, drawing conclusions on the way forward to increase our societies resilience to floods. The term ‘flood resilience’ is being increasingly used, however, it remains to be clearly defined and implemented. The UK, USA and Australia are leading the way in considering what flood resilience really means, but our review has found few examples of action underpinned by an understanding of systems and complexity. This review investigates how performance objectives & indicators are currently interpreted in guidance documents. It provides an in-depth exploration of the methods, that although developed through European and US expertise, can be used for worldwide application. Our analysis highlights that resilience is often embedded in engineering education and frequently linked to risk. This may however, mask the importance of resilience and where it differs from risk. With £2.6 billion to be spent in the UK over the next 6 years on strengthening the country’s flood and coastal defences, this is the opportunity to rethink resilience from a systems approach, and embed that learning into education and professional development of engineers. Our conclusions indicate how consolidating flood resilience knowledge between and within critical infrastructure sectors is the way forward to deliver flood resilience engineering.

Keywords: Flood; Resilience; Risk; Performance; Systems; Education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10669-018-9709-2

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