Flood Risk Management (edX)

You will learn which concepts exist to protect people from floods having a look at the catchment, the rivers and the settlements at risk. Following the so-called flood risk cycle, prevention, protection and preparation measures are shown.

With a focus on Europe, this course aims to summarize the tasks needed to implement the EU Floods Directive. To forecast a flood, hydrological modelling is needed. You will gain understanding about the difficulties of hydrological modelling in flood forecasts as well as about the sources and quantities of uncertainties in the flood chain. Advantages and disadvantages of different hydrodynamic model types are clarified. Furthermore, it is explained how flood hazard and flood risk maps can be evaluated concerning their uncertainties.

To prevent the loss of properties or assets, structural as well as non-structural flood protection measures are implemented. These are outlined with practice examples from rural and urban sites. Finally, you learn about the importance of raising risk awareness within a community and different types of precaution. This will help you learning how to create your own ideas and measures to prevent risks related to floods.

This course is for anyone interested in flood risk management. It offers basic chapters as well as possibilities for a deeper view.

What you'll learn

- Understand the tasks of the implementation of the EU flood risk management directive

- Understand hydrological flood modelling

- Evaluate flood hazard and flood risk maps concerning their uncertainties

- Assess appropriate rural and urban flood protection measures

- Integrate single measures in city concepts and use flood risk audits

Course Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Flood Risk Management

Introduction flood risk management

Tasks of the implementation of the EU Flood Risk Management Directive

Flood hazard and flood risk maps

Week 2: Uncertainties of Flood Modelling

Introduction to hydrological modelling

Uncertainties in precipitation inputs

Uncertainties in runoff calculation in hydrological models

Hydrodynamic models

Uncertainties in hydrodynamic modelling

Week 3: Practice Examples for Flood Protection I

A global perspective of flood risk management

Rural measures for flood protection

Week 4: Practice Examples for Flood Protection II

Urban measures for flood protection

Flood protection strategies

Practice example of the city Rosenheim, Germany

Week 5: Mobile Flood Protection Measures

Introduction to mobile flood protection

Mobile flood protection units and serious gaming

Real life problems

Week 6: Flood Risk Audit and Special Issues

Use of flood risk audits

Integration of single measures into city concepts

Week 7: Evaluation of the Course