Speaker
Description
Flood detention areas (FDAs) in China, as unique geographical spatial units, serve the dual purpose of flood control and livelihood protection. These FDAs typically exhibit lower levels of socioeconomic development compared to their surrounding regions. In the context of escalating climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the utilization of FDAs has become more frequent, intensifying competition for land between residents and floodwaters, thereby exacerbating the conflict between livelihood security and flood disaster management. Taking the Huaihe River Basin as a case in point, this region exhibits the highest population density and the most frequent use of FDAs among China’s major river basins. Since 1950, these FDAs have been activated over 200 times, accounting for half of the national total. Presently, approximately 2.85 million people reside within these FDAs, with about 560,000 requiring relocation during flood events. The inherent contradiction between ensuring the safety of both upstream and downstream urban areas and improving the living conditions of residents within the FDAs presents a persistent challenge.
Developing systematic territorial space planning policies that encompass land use, population management, economic models, and other key factors is essential for addressing flood disaster challenges and ensuring sustainable socioeconomic development within these FDAs. This approach is both necessary and urgent. However, current policies in China predominantly focus on water conservancy project sectors, with limited attention given to the scientific planning of territorial space. Furthermore, these policies suffer from a lack of systematic structure, specificity, and consistency. Academic research on these policies is also fragmented, with a lack of comprehensive analysis and evaluation, which hampers evidence-based policy formulation and revision.
This study adopts a regional comparative perspective, focusing on all nine key FDAs within the Huaihe River Basin in China. It systematically collects and analyzes territorial space planning policies, as well as plans related to population control, infrastructure construction, safety construction, and relocation strategies for these FDAs. Using comparative methods, the study examines the commonalities, differences and distinctive features across multiple dimensions, including resident relocation, ecological restoration, infrastructure development, and economic growth. The analysis integrates both quantitative planning indicators and qualitative aspects of policy formulation and implementation. Additionally, an in-depth case study of the Mengwa FDAs is conducted to assess the outcomes of implemented policies and their interaction with local residents through surveys and interviews. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of policy impacts at the grassroots level.
This paper elucidates the prevailing issues and insights related to the current territorial space planning policies governing China’s FDAs. Issues: While existing policies are relatively unified at the macro level, their implementation across various administrative levels exacerbates disparities. The current policy and regulatory system remain fragmented and underdeveloped. In practice, there are challenges related to inadequate alignment between government initiatives and resident needs, as well as significant difficulties in relocation processes. Insights: These include the establishment of unified planning standards, regional collaborative development, and post-planning evaluations, etc. In conclusion, this paper provides a solid empirical foundation for the formulation and revision of future policies, with the aim of enhancing the living standards of residents in FDAs and promoting sustainable development and social-spatial equity within these areas.
| Keywords | flood detention areas; Huaihe River Basin;territorial space planning;social-spatial equity;policies |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
