Towards a better understanding of the evolution of the flood risk in Mediterranean urban areas: the case of Barcelona

Maria Cortès (), Maria Carmen Llasat, Joan Gilabert, Montserrat Llasat-Botija, Marco Turco, Raül Marcos, Juan Pedro Martín Vide and Lluís Falcón
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Maria Cortès: University of Barcelona
Maria Carmen Llasat: University of Barcelona
Joan Gilabert: University of Barcelona
Montserrat Llasat-Botija: University of Barcelona
Marco Turco: University of Barcelona
Raül Marcos: Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomputación
Juan Pedro Martín Vide: UPC, Barcelona Tech
Lluís Falcón: Urban Architect, FALCON Architecture and Urbanism

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2018, vol. 93, issue 1, No 4, 39-60

Abstract: Abstract This contribution explores the evolution of the flood risk in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (MAB; Northeast Spain) from 1981 to 2015, and how it has been affected by changes in land use, population and precipitation. To complete this study, we analysed PRESSGAMA and INUNGAMA databases to look for all the information related to the floods and flash floods that have affected the chosen region. The “Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros”, a state insurance company for extraordinary risks, provided data on economic damage. The extreme precipitation trend was analysed by the Fabra Observatory and El Prat-Airport Observatory, and daily precipitation data were provided by the State Meteorological Agency of Spain (AEMET) and the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (SMC). Population data were obtained from the Statistical Institute of Catalonia (IDESCAT). Changes in land use were estimated from the land use maps for Catalonia corresponding to 1956, 1993, 2000, 2005 and 2009. Prevention measures like rainwater tanks and improvements to the drainage system were also been considered. The specific case of Barcelona is presented, a city recognised by United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction as a model city for urban resilience to floods. The evolution of flood events in the MAB does not show any significant trend for this period. We argue that the evolution in floods can be explained, at least in part, by the lack of trend in extreme precipitation indices, and also by the improvements in flood prevention measures.

Keywords: Floods; Flash floods; Changes in land use; Vulnerability; Precipitation extremes; Barcelona (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-017-3014-0

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