Speaker
Description
Urban areas are increasingly susceptible to the co-occurrence of flood and drought events, driven by climate change and rapid urbanization. This study applies a novel multi-risk framework for analyzing urban flood and drought risks, using Barcelona, Spain, as a case study. The framework integrates insights from existing multi-hazard and multi-risk assessment methodologies, focusing on a comprehensive assessment of combined flood and drought risks. This includes an analysis of all its components—exposure, vulnerability, and hazard—while considering their spatial and temporal distribution and dynamic interactions.
The framework consists of six key components: 1) Context Analysis, which establishes the broader environmental, climatic, and socio-economic context of the study area; 2) Hazard Analysis, which considers the spatial and temporal distribution of flood and drought hazards and potential compound events; 3) Exposure Analysis, which identifies urban elements at risk; 4) Vulnerability Analysis, which examines the capacity of the urban system to cope with and recover from these hazards; 5) Risk Assessment, which integrates data on hazard, exposure, and vulnerability to identify areas of high risk; and 6) Dynamics Analysis, which explores the underlying factors and dynamics contributing to the high-risk status of specific areas.
To demonstrate the applicability of this framework, a case study was conducted in Barcelona, Spain, a city that faces significant risks from both flooding and drought. Historical data highlight the city's vulnerability, with notable droughts occurring in 1945, 1986-1989, 2004-2008, 2017 and 2023, along with major pluvial floods in 1995 and 2018. In response, Barcelona has implemented various adaptation measures, including the construction of the Ebro River pipeline in 2008 for drought mitigation and a desalination plant established in 2009 to enhance water supply resilience. This analysis examines specific vulnerabilities in Barcelona, such as aging water infrastructure, which pose a considerable risk to the city's water supply system. Additionally, the city's history of water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change impacts—such as increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns—further intensifies these vulnerabilities.
The Barcelona case study demonstrates how the framework can inform climate change adaptation planning. By analyzing the city's risks related to floods, droughts, and their combined impacts, the framework highlights the need for: 1) enhanced stormwater management systems to mitigate flood risks, aligning with climate adaptation strategies; 2) improved water conservation measures to address drought vulnerability, contributing to climate mitigation; and 3) the development of early warning systems for both floods and droughts to enhance preparedness and response capabilities, which are crucial for building urban resilience. This framework enables urban planners to develop more effective and integrated strategies for managing flood and drought risks, ultimately enhancing urban resilience and supporting the transition to sustainable, climate-resilient cities.
| Keywords | Flood and drought; Climate change; Risk analysis; Urban resilience |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
