News

New book on coastal cities and management of flood risk

Wouter Botzen (FEWEB PhD (cum laude) and winner of the 2010 Junior Societal Impact Award) is one of the lead authors of the book 'Climate adaptation and flood risk in Coastal Cities'.

Jeroen Aerts, Wouter Botzen and Philip Ward of the Institute for Environmental studies (IVM), of the VU University Amsterdam have coordinated the book.

The recent floods in Bangkok, Australia and Pakistan have shown the devastating effects of large floods on societies and the economy of countries and cities. Climate change and socio- economic trends –such as population growth- will increase the impacts of flood risk on global coastal cities if we do not invest in innovative flood risk management strategies.

This book explores the different aspects of climate adaptation in coastal cities. It provides an overview of how large coastal cities can deal, and are dealing, with the problem of flooding, and how they can improve their adaptation strategies for the future. Methods and instruments are described for assessing impacts of flooding, and adaptation strategies are presented. Innovative solutions through combinations with architecture and flood engineering show that measures can be cost effective and add value to the cities. For example, by creating green roofs, wetlands as buffer areas or by building houses on dikes, cities and their waterfronts become safer and more attractive.

The book provides in-depth case studies of the cities of New York, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Rotterdam. The initiative for this book has been supported by the C40 global cities network, and the underlying Connecting Delta Cities initiative.


Wouter Botzen