FloodRisk II
Further steps for future implementation
strategies towards an integrated flood
risk management
Copyright:
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management Overall Lead
Dr. Jochen Bürgel, Austrian Environmental Agency Technical Lead
Prof. Dr. Helmut Habersack, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna Coordination Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management
Dr. Heinz Stiefelmeyer, DI Drago Pleschko, DI Maria Patek, DI Dr. Florian Rudolf-Miklau Coordination Federal Ministry of Traffic, Innovation and Technology
MR Dr. Leo Grill Cover picture
FloodRisk II
Further steps for future implementation
strategies towards an integrated flood
risk management
English Short Report
written by
Prof. DI Dr. Helmut Habersack
Dr. Jochen Bürgel
Index
1. Introduction ... 8
2. Project organisation ... 10
3. projects ... 12
3.1. Meteorology/Hydrology ... 12
TP1.2 Climate change impact on runoff formation based on variable snowmelt and direct rainfall contribution ... 12
TP1.3 Flood warning system – flooded area prognosis ... 12
TP1.4 HOPWAP: Analysis and modelling of the effect of forest cover on the 2005 flood event in the Paznaun valley (Austria) ... 13
TP1.5 Effects of surface sealing on runoff in torrential rain – results from investigations in intensively settled areas of the Salzkammergut district in Upper Austria ... 13
TP1.6 Dynamic of design parameters and consequences – climate ... 14
3.2. Geomorphology ... 15
TP2.1.1 Illustration of the impacts of changes in the sediment budgtet and the river morphology on the flood-runoff and damage pattern (with consideration of the impact of the vegetation for the interaction flood-morphodynamic) ... 15
TP2.1.2 Analysis of the sediment budget and river morphology of selected Austrian rivers (sediment deficit, sediment surplus, development(actual-state of the river morphology, trends) in connection with floods ... 15
TP2.2 Effects of sustainable bed load management on flood discharge focussing on the integrated river engineering project (Danube) ... 17
TP2.3 Preventive strategies to reduce the risk of woody debris ... 17
3.3. Economy ... 17
TP3.1 An economic assessment based on hazard zone plans for a design event ... 17
TP3.2.1 Economical importance of flood protection measures and the impact of natural hazards on regionsl economic sectors ... 18
TP3.2.2 An economic assessment of torrent and avalanche control measures ... 18
TP3.3 Documentation of floods – central event capture and analysis ... 19
3.4. Ecology... 20
TP4.1 Woody plants on flood protection levees ... 20
TP4.2 Vegetation and floods concerning hydraulics and ecology ... 20
TP4.3 Ecology – flood protection (EU-National) effects of the water framework directive ... 21
TP4.4 Flood Plain Invenvory ... 22
3.5. Flood Management ... 22
TP5.1 Hazard zone map, HZM: estimation of the risk potential of land slides and slope movements based on an example in Gasen/Haslau (Austria) ... 22
TP5.2 Development of standards and approaches for the inventory and condition assessment (condition monitoring) of torrent control measures ... 23
TP6.1 Reconstruction measures and integrated flood risk management ... 25
TP6.3 Action plan against floodings in Radkersburg (Austria) ... 26
TP6.4 Evaluation of mobile flood protection systems related to flood risk management. Objective assessment of frequently used mobile flood protection systems ... 26
TP6.5 International comparison of administrative structures in regard of the organisationi of integrated flood risk management ... 27
TP7.1 Maintenance of embankment dams – model for monitoring and safety concept ... 28
3.6. Spatial Planning ... 29
TP8.1 Awareness raising in relation to the natural hazard “water” ... 29
TP8.2 Guidance paper: Public participation within flood risk management projects ... 30
TP9.1.1 An evaluation of transnational and national projects with the subject “integrated flood management” ... 30
TP9.1.2 Strategic spatial development plan for flood protection ... 31
TP9.2 Comparison of existing instruments und directives within the disciplines spatial planning and water management in Austria with the aim of ensuring areas (basic study) ... 32
TP9.1.3 Implementation of future strategies concerning risk-reducing land uses – Part: relocation 33 TP9.3.2 Implementation of future strategies concerning risk-reducing land uses – Part: intercommunal cooperation ... 33
TP9.4 Integrated River Development and Inter-communal Burden Sharing – Land Demand and –compensation in Terms of Flood protection (Flood Retention and Minimization of Damages), Rural development and Ecology (WFD) ... 34
TP9.5 Agriculture and Flooding ... 34
3.7. Legal Aspects ... 36
TP10.1 The effect of the EU-Flood Directive on the Austrian legislature ... 36
TP10.2 Flood protection on the basis of the Austrian water law ... 38
TP10.3 Hazard areas/hazard zones seen from an legal perspective ... 38
TP10.4.a Legal dealings with contruction and dedication stock, property protection ... 39
TP10.4.b Legal aspects in the building law for post protection measures of existing buildings in flood prone areas ... 40
TP10.5.a Questions of liability with reference to natural hazard management (cities and communities) ... 41
TP10.5.b Questions of liability with reference to natural hazard management (authorised experts) 41 TP10.6 Questions with regard to law of property and liability concerning the erection of constructions agains natural dangers (floods, mudflow, avalanches, rock falls, land slides, ..) 42 TP10.7 Legal aspects with regard to dispossession and compensation concerning flood protection ... 43
3.8. Desaster protection Management ... 43
TP11.2 Desaster protection management systems for municipalities ... 44 4. participating organisations ... 46
1. INTRODUCTION
After the extreme flood of 2002 in 2005 another catastrophic flood occured in the Western, Alpine are of Austria and 2006 a large flood affected the March river. Although many suggestions of the project FloodRisk I were already implemented, missing aspects in relation to the analysis existed as well as further thematic fields. The focus on these lead to the project FloodRisk II, which is pre-sented in this synthesis report. The project “FloodRisk II Intensification and integration of future oriented implementation strategies for the integrated flood management” consists of 45 sub projects, which are summarized in 8 work packages. The project FloodRisk II contains essential suggestions in all areas of the integrated flood management. The analysis of possible effects of climate change on flood management showed, that the reduction of uncertainty of data is more important. As new instrument for flood management and catastrophe management the so called lamella prognosis is suggested.
For small to medium floods the positive effect of forest cover and the minimization of sealing could be demonstrated. A minimum spatial demand of river was defined a 1 to 3 times the river bed width on both sides of the river bank, where no high value usages should be place. The consideration of the long-term development of the river morphology and especially the sediment regime as well as sediment continuum is essential, since most of the Austrian rivers show river bed degradation ten-dencies und thus increasing flood risk.
The spatially differentiated vegetation management allows to regard safety aspects in settlements and a dynamic vegetation development in the reaches in between, contribution there also to a flood retention. From an ecological perspective the river-Aue area has to be seen as a unit, where especially the near river inundation areas are important for the ecological status and where also synergies with the flood retention are given.
Within the theme flood management suggestions concern the preservation and restoration of floodplains, the monitoring and improvement of dams and torrent control structures, the use of ob-ject protection and mobile flood protection as well as relief measures during and immediately after the flood event. Both for river and torrent control the economical importance of flood protection and also the trend towards a renovation, reconstruction of measures could be shown.
Spatial planning was again identified as key player in integrated flood management and FloodRisk II suggests important possibilities for improvement in planning instruments, intercommunity coop-eration, settling out and local and regional spatial planning.
Besides ecology a new theme in FloodRisk II is law. There suggestions for the implementation of the EU floods directive are given by detailed paragraph formulations with respect e.g. to summa-tion effects. Furthermore quessumma-tions related to endangered construcsumma-tion land and the relasumma-tion of building law to flood protection are answered. A special focus is also given to liability at various
aspects of the flood management.
Finally FloodRisk II contains a detailed implementation strategy including a discussion of the so far realized measures as a consequence of FloodRisk I as well as the demand for further improve-ments and new suggestions in all aspects of integrated flood management.
2. PROJECT ORGANISATION
Project structure FloodRisk II
Overall Lead
Dr. Jochen Bürgel, Austrain Environmental Agency
Technical Lead
Prof. DI Dr. Helmut Habersack, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
Steering Committee
SC DI Wilfried Schimon, Department VII, Water, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environ-ment and Water ManageEnviron-ment
SC DI Gerhard Mannsberger, Department IV, Forestry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
MR Dr. Leo Grill, Department IV Rail, Water Transport and Transport Labour Inspectorate (W3), Federal Ministry of Traffic, Innovation and Technologie
Workpackage Leader
Meteorology/Hydrology: DI Reinhold Godina, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environ-ment and Water ManageEnviron-ment
Geomorphology:DI Dr. Michael Hengl, Inst. of Hydraulik Engineering and Hydrometric Testing, Federal Institute for Water Management
Economy: M. Litt. Mag. Dr. Prettenthaler Franz, Joanneum Research GmbH
Ecology: Prof. Dr. Mathias Jungwirth, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Manage-ment, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
Flood Management:
DI Dr. Heinz Stiefelmeyer, Head VII/5, Flood Protection, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
DI Maria Patek, Head IV/5, Avalanche and Torrent Control, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Fore-stry, Environment and Water Management
Spatial Planning: HR Dr. Friedrich Mair, Head of Spatial Planning, Provincial Government of Salzburg
Legal Aspects: Ass.Prof. DI Dr. Arthur Kanonier, Department of Spatial Development, Infrastruc-ture and Environmental Planing, Technical University of Vienna
3. PROJECTS
3.1. Meteorology/Hydrology
TP1.2 Climate change impact on runoff formation based on variable snowmelt
and direct rainfall contribution
Lead: Prof. Dr. Holzmann, Mag. Dr. Herbert Formayer, University of Natural Resources and Ap-plied Life Sciences, Vienna
Climate models indicate a continuous change in air temperature and seasonal precipitation even for Austria during the current century. At four spatially distributed Austrian catchments the effects of climate change on the runoff situation have been investigated. The study areas were Bregenzer Ache / gauge Mellau, Lavant / gauge Fischering, Traisen / gauge Lilienfeld and Salzach / gauge Mittersill. For this analysis the climate change scenarios A1B and B1 of the regional climate model REMO of Max-Planck-institute-Hamburg have been adapted to Austria. By means of a stochastic weather generator daily timeseries of air temperature and precipitation have been generated. As present status climate the period of 1961 to 1990 was used and for the average future change the period of 2070 to 2100 was selected. By using a rainfall-runoff model from the temperature and precipitation input daily timeseries of runoff were created. As a result the changes in flood forma-tion, snow cover and the monthly balances in precipitation and runoff were documented. The re-sults showed strong regional differences. For alpine catchments the effects especially in terms of snow accumulation and snow melt will be rather strong. The tendency of the decrease of snow accumulation and earlier snow smelt caused by higher air temperature and a higher rate in liquid precipitation could be demonstrated. This leads to more runoff in winter time and less in summer time. In areas with a lower altitude like the Traisen catchment the low flow periods are higher af-fected. Here a clear increase in days of low flow was observed, which is contrary to the alpine cat-chments. Eventually there is an overall trend toa seasonal change in flood appearance. Scenario B1 causes a shift to autumn, whereas scenario A1B causes a shift to spring. In both cases, scena-rio B1 and A1B, the number of floods in summertime will decrease. The amount of the seasonal shift varies from area to area.
TP1.3 Flood warning system – flooded area prognosis
Lead: DI Christoph Braunsteiner, ARGE Kamp – NEK
The project presents flooded areas, which are derived from hydraulic calculations based on con-stantly increasing discharges. Hence, emergency forces dispose of a concrete flooding scenario (i.e. flooded area) to be expected enabling them to optimally allocate their resources. The project’s
main objective is to check upon the accuracy and plausibility of the used methodology. Further-more, the model will be analyzed with respect to its general applicability to different river basins in Austria.
TP1.4 HOPWAP: Analysis and modelling of the effect of forest cover on the 2005
flood event in the Paznaun valley (Austria)
Lead: Dr. Berhard Kohl, BFW
The impact of changes in forest cover on the flood event of the River Trisanna in the Paznaun val-ley in August 22rdand 23rd, 2005 has been investigated by means of process-oriented hydrological modelling. The effect and influence of different forest cover configurations (status 1950 and 2005) was analysed. Based on qualitative and quantitative aerial image interpretations hydrological re-sponse units (HRU) attributed with hydrological parameters for modelling (initial abstraction and water storage, surface runoff coefficient and surface roughness) were derived. Field investigation data (forest site and stand characterisation on approx. 3000 points within the Paznaun valley) were used for calibration and verification of these parameters. Detailed hydro-geological survey and discharge measurements formed the base for hydrological modelling. Differences in land use could be identified clearly within and outside the forest cover. Increase of forest cover and hydrologically effective changes in forest stand characteristics have been detected and evaluated. The impact of these changes on the flood event of august 2005 is shown quite clearly regarding subcatchments of the Paznaun valley according to the degree of variation. The hydrological modelling of the Au-gust 23rd, 2005, event in the whole Paznaun valley showed only negligible differences between scenario 1950 and 2005. The so “disappeared effects” of forest cover are due to the specific pecu-liarities of this event, such as an enormous amount of rain during the period before the event, the areal rain distribution, the duration of the event as well as the event type in general. The verifiably protection effects of forest cover on floods in general were overstrained by this extraordinary event.
TP1.5 Effects of surface sealing on runoff in torrential rain – results from
investi-gations in intensively settled areas of the Salzkammergut district in Upper
Aus-tria
Lead: Mag. Klaus Kleebinder, BFW
The increasing amount of surface runoff due to soil surface sealing forms a factor which is succes-sively leading to increase of runoff freight in torrents and receiving water courses. Surface sealing does not only rise runoff freight, but also means an increase of surface runoff velocity and a de-crease of concentration time. The consequences are intensification of flooding events and higher risk potential for downstream riparian settlements.
The question of surface sealing has been investigated in a co-operation between WLV - Section Upper Austria and BFW in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut. A code of practice for assessment
of runoff disposition before sealing and a calculation tool, which shall serve for calculation of ruoff increases due to sealing and for quantification of different prevention measures, are presented as the first results of the project.
TP1.6 Dynamic of design parameters and consequences – climate
Lead: Prof. Dr. Günther Blöschl, Technical University Vienna
The aim of this study is to assess whether design floods in Austria need to be adapted due to changed climate conditions. A review of the literature suggests that the future evolution of climate extremes cannot be assessed reliably on the basis of current knowledge. Credible forecasts of changes in the flood regime are hence not possible at this stage. To obtain an indication of the spectrum of potential evolutions of the flood regime, if-then scenarios were analysed. The idea is to estimate changes in the flood discharges, given plausible but hypothetical changes in the climate variables. The if-then scenarios hence need to be interpreted in the context of the assumptions on the climate variables and are no forecasts.
As the Austrian Alps are a climatic divide, two example catchments were examined, one north of the Alps (the Pielach catchment), and one south of the Alps (the Gail catchment). The following assumptions were made: higher rainfall in winter, lower rainfall in summer; higher variability of with-in-event precipitation due to increased convection; shift in high runoff generation conditions in the spring due to earlier snow melt and higher evaporation in summer. The assumptions differ to some degree between the two catchments in accordance with the respective flood producing processes. Simulations indicate that, in the northern catchment, the one hundred year flood does not change while, in the southern catchment, there is a 10% increase given the assumptions made on rainfall and runoff generation. The seasonal analysis gives a more complex pattern. In winter, simulated flood peaks at the northern site are +32% higher than under current conditions, at the southern site they are +14% higher. The spring floods indicate an increase of 2% at the northern site and 4% at the southern site, while the summer floods indicate a –9% decrease and a 2% increase, respec-tively. Simulated autumn floods indicate +8% and 14% increases at the northern and southern sites, respectively.
To put the if-then scenarios into the context of the natural variability, flood data in Austria were analysed. The focus was on understanding the information inherent in the observed flood peak time series in terms of estimating the design flood (e.g. the one hundred year flood) and the asso-ciated uncertainty. The analyses of the data indicate that the natural variability is enormous. The accuracy of the estimates strongly depends on the properties of the flood peak sample (sample size, data quality, occurrence of big floods). Specifically, there exist flood decades and decades with much smaller floods. This finding is consistent with trend analyses of flood data from the litera-ture which suggest that there are no conclusive indications of climate induced changes. However, clustering of floods has existed throughout the centuries.
Against the backdrop of the flood data analyses, the if-then scenarios need a subtle interpretation. The combined evidence suggests that the enormous natural variability in the past will also domi-nate design flood estimation in the future and the potential changes of the if-then scenarios are small relative to this variability. Design flood estimation needs to account for the clustering of events and the uncertainty should be reduced by using expanded information. The focus in design flood estimation hence needs to be on maximising the data base used, as this will likely reduce the uncertainty of design flood estimates more significantly than will the use of climate related trends.
3.2. Geomorphology
TP2.1 Morphology of the Austrian rivers: sediment budget – morphology – flooding (Prof. Dr.Helmut Habersack, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna)
TP2.1.1 Illustration of the impacts of changes in the sediment budgtet and the
river morphology on the flood-runoff and damage pattern (with consideration of
the impact of the vegetation for the interaction flood-morphodynamic)
TP2.1.2 Analysis of the sediment budget and river morphology of selected
Aus-trian rivers (sediment deficit, sediment surplus, development(actual-state of the
river morphology, trends) in connection with floods
Changes in river morphology can be long term or develop in the course of flood events. In the present study the immediate morphologic river changes as well as the long-term trend of rivermor-phological development is discussed. Different morrivermor-phological processes were identifiedbased on vertical aerial photographs and visual documentation.
The geometry of the morphological changes was measured and analyzed with hydraulic parame-ters using hydrodynamic-numerical models. The correlations of the specific stream power, the Froude number and the flow area with the width changes during the flood in August 2005 were investigated. When comparing the average values of hydraulic parameters, correlations with the width changes were found for the Bregenzerach and Lech. The values correlated well where width changes up to a factor of 1.8 occurred. This is due to the fact that up to these values of width changes, a large portion (approx. 90%) of the cross sections was found. For larger width changes the number of profiles was not sufficient. This led to a larger fluctuation range. The specific stream power was used as a hydraulic parameter to investigate relationships between long-term morpho-logical developments as well as event-related morphomorpho-logical changes. Generally in literature differ-ent thresholds of specific stream power exist to distinguish between morphologically stable and unstable areas. At the same time however the restrictions of this application and the complexity of the relationships were discussed.
The analysis of morphological changes during flood events showed that the specific stream power as a single parameter is not sufficient to predict morphological changes. Influences of various kinds (in particular the bedload budget and the resistance by constructions, etc.) affect the values and reduce the quality of the relationship. Furthermore the Bregenzerach, Lech, Trisanna and Kamp River were analyzed based on longitudinal sections. The influencing factors and process areas during the floods were illustrated. It became clear, that especially during the floods of 2005 river sections with higher slopes as well as areas which had material inputs through a tributary or a land slide upstream tended to show morphological changes.
When analysing the relation of the specific stream power with long-term morphologic development of 8 rivers in Austria (Bregenzerach, Aist, Waldzeller Ache, Drau, Mur, Lech, Danube and Kamp River) only limited correlations could be found. Studies on the discharge pattern showed, however, that taking them into account helps to analyze the development of the channel. The discharge pat-tern was calculated at the gauging stations through the ratio of MJHQ (mean annual flood) and MJNQ (mean annual low flow). The minimum space demand of rivers covers areas, which are or may be affected by erosion or aggradations during extreme flood events. The minimum morpholog-ical space demand of rivers is defined as a minimum safety distance to the river to minimize the potential damage during future flood events. In this area no buildings, infrastructure and higher-value use should be allowed, since erosion during larger flood events may occur there.
In settlement areas and in relation to anthropogenic use outside settlement areas, according to the results of this study a minimum safety distance (minimum morphological space demand of rivers) has to be kept free. The minimum morphological space demand of rivers is in total 3-7 TP2.1.1 und TP2.1.2 21 times the width (actual bankfull width) and thus 1-3 times the width away of each river bank as a minimum safety distance. Settlements, infrastructure, bridge foundations, canals, cul-verts, trade and industry buildings may only be built outside of this safety distance. Outside of set-tlement areas additionally to the minimum morphological space demand of rivers (related to the distance of uses) the hydrologic-hydraulic space demand is to aspire, which covers the HQ100 (HQ300 related to increased risk) inundation area. These floodplains should be protected or res-tored to accomplish the necessary contribution to the reduction of the overall flood risk. If possible outside of settlement areas (use) additionally the maximum morphological space demand of rivers, which corresponds to the space extension of the riparian forest (river type specific space extension of the aue area) (FloodRisk II - TP4.3) should be strived (the preservation of existing riparian fo-rests or restoration). Major objectives of future river management measures should be the design and implementation of measures to improve the sediment balance as well as to minimize the river bed erosion, in order to maintain or achieve the good ecological status (according to the Water Framework Directive) and to ensure flood protection. To achieve these goals improvements in the field of sediment continuum (conservation or re-establishment) and hydromorphology are essential. The initiation of river morphological dynamics according to the river type (bank erosion, morphody-namics etc.) is necessary.
TP2.2 Effects of sustainable bed load management on flood discharge focussing
on the integrated river engineering project (Danube)
Lead: Dr. Roland Schmallfuß, DonauConsult
In this subproject the relevant effects of river bed erosion during the last decades and also of planned measures for bed load management within the framework of the Integrated River Engi-neering Project (river bed stabilization, river bank restoration and side arm re-connection) will be analysed and quantified. One-dimensional hydraulic models (HEC-RAS) developed during the general design stage are the basis for these calculations.
The relevance of integrated hydraulic engineering and ecologic design processes for integrated flood management is discussed within the strategic chapters focussing on the Integrated River Engineering Project (Danube).
TP2.3 Preventive strategies to reduce the risk of woody debris
Lead: Prof. Dr. Johannes Hübl, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna The project aims to find sustainable and effective solutions to reduce woody debris. General guide-lines for torrent control management with reference to woody debris will be created based on a review of the literature and analysis of case studies. This study addresses the opportunities and contribution of soil bioengineering, forestry management and technical options to minimise the risk of woody debris. All forest and bioengineering processes, such as disposition, urgent measures and maintenance, will be discussed in detail aiming for a code of practice.
3.3. Economy
TP3.1 An economic assessment based on hazard zone plans for a design event
Lead: Dr. Franz Prettenthaler, Joanneum Research
The project calculates the maximum damage potential for floods in Austria using the national risk zoning tool HORA and compares it for selected Austrian regions to the maximum damage potential calculated on basis of the more accurate local hazard mapping. The results show that for many uses, HORA is a sufficiently accurate tool for damage potential estimation.
TP3.2.1 Economical importance of flood protection measures and the impact of
natural hazards on regionsl economic sectors
Lead: Dr. Franz Prettenthaler, Joanneum Research
This project quantifies the macroeconomic impacts of yearly flood protection-investments in Austria regarding value added and employment. For this, a thorough analysis of input patterns on a projects scale has been carried out in order to obtain high resolution data for the analysis with the multiregional macroenonometrc model MULTIREG.
TP3.2.2 An economic assessment of torrent and avalanche control measures
Lead: Dr Franz Sinabell, WIFO
The management of natural hazards has to be organized according to three phases: before, dur-ing, and after an event. The implementation of preventive measures is among the most important objectives of efficient risk management. During the phase when a natural disaster occurs, damage mitigation measures have to be employed and after an event the victims of a disaster have to be compensated at conditions that have been agreed upon prior to the event.
This is a case study of the Austrian way to manage hazards that are typical for a mountainous country. It analysis the first two phases of the following hazards: torrents, avalanches, land slides, mudflows, rockfalls, and erosion. An organizational unit of the federal administration (Wildbach- und Lawinenverbauung, constituted by the Forest Act 1973) has the responsibility to mitigate these hazards and carries out the following activities: development of hazard maps, planning and con-struction of dams and other preventive concon-structions, carrying out measurements of events and their consequences.
Floods have caused major damages in Austria n recent years. In this study the economic conse-quences of floods in 2002 and 2005 are analyzed using a multi-sectoral and multi-regional model of the Austrian economy. The results show that the negative consequences of floods outweigh positive ones like a more modern capital stock and positive value added ef-fects due to reconstruc-tion. A detailed view at the tourist sector shows that potential negative consequences have been contained because reconstruction was initiated swiftly after the damages occurred. The same model was used to quantify the economic effects of public investments in torrent- and avalanche control measures. The results show that jobs and value added is generated even in regions where no measures are taken (in the capital Vienna).
A unique data set was established during the project period which allows to evaluate hazard maps that are available for almost the whole territory for which Wildbach- und Lawinenver-bauung is re-sponsible. The data show that - relatively - few objects (houses with valid addresses) are in zones with high risks due to torrents and avalanches. This is remarkable because generally it is the case that a large share of objects is situated in zones with high flood risks.
Econometric methods were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of measures to control torrents and avalanches. The data support the view that the activities of Wildbach- and Lawinenverbauung are in fact effective. However, further research efforts are necessary to analyze the economic effi-ciency of the measures taken. Such an analysis seems to be urgently needed. Estimates of the capital stock and depreciation of torrent- and avalanche control constructions shows that currently investments are only high enough to allow a replacement of assets but no further provision of pre-vention.
TP3.3 Documentation of floods – central event capture and analysis
Lead: Prof.Dr. Helmut Habersack, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
Based on the experience of existing flood documentations a methodology as well as the content concerning what has to be documented is presented in this study. Through definition of the metho-dology a basis for national standardised flood documentations in the responsibility of the Flood Control Management Division will be provided.
Three phases of the flood documentation are suggested: • Phase 1 – Event survey
• Phase 2 – Event documentation • Phase 3 – Event analysis
Contents of this guide are the phase 2 - event documentation and phase 3 - event analysis. In this study the individual procedures of documentation are described and processes are characterized. In case of a flood event it makes sense to have a "documentation-kit" available. Survey sheets, which include the basic parameters to support a uniform and complete documentation, were pre-pared.
Furthermore the setup and content of future flood documentation reports are defined in detail and the content is described. In the context of event analysis flood events should be analysed in order to make improvements in the field of flood event management as well as flood prevention. The existing crisis management and available prevention tools are discussed.
3.4. Ecology
TP4.1 Woody plants on flood protection levees
Lead: Prof. Dr. Florin Florineth, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna Recent floods have once again drawn attention to the stability and maintenance of levees. Spe-cifically, the focus is on the relationship between vegetation and the structural integrity of lev-ees. Current standards regard dense turf to be the safest vegetation cover and many guidelines ban woody vegetation from levees. Many assumptions are based on experience involving prob-lematic and maladjusted woody vegetation (e.g. single trees, groups of trees) and case reports rather than scientific studies. Standards are justified by an absence of data which would clearly establish the relationship between woody vegetation and the structural impairment of dikes. Hence, the effects of small to medium growing, flexible woody plants on structural integrity and maintenance on le-vees are investigated in a project, funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management and the Provincial Government of Lower Austria. Within the frame of FLOODRISK II a comprehensive literature research, supplemented with field stud-ies on levees at the river March was carried out.
The report deals with levee structure, damaging factors leading to levee failures and treats the con-troversial issue of woody plants on levees.
TP4.2 Vegetation and floods concerning hydraulics and ecology
Lead: Prof. Dr. Helmut Habersack, Kamp-team (NEK)
The reaction of people after floods and the conflicts between flood protection and protection of na-ture concerning vegetation along rivers as well as the often improper discussion about risk poten-tial of vegetation in case of floods show that an objective view of this issue considering hydraulic and ecological conditions is essential.
Within the project ‘Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Kamptal-Flusslandschaft’ extensive analysis about the impact of vegetation varying in width and density were accomplished (physical models tests, numerical simulations). Thereby information about the variation of water levels in case of corres-ponding slope and discharge could be gathered. Basis was the development of a vegetation man-agement concept, which distinguished three areas:
• Sensitive areas (vegetation management and maintenance necessary)
• Transition areas (limited vegetation management and maintenance necessary) • Vegetation-dynamic areas (no maintenance)
In general, the scope for vegetation in settlement areas is limited because of the sensitivity con-cerning water levels, while in floodplains the advantage for natural retention exists (increased roughness and retention).
Within the project FloodRisk II an evaluation of the adaptability and a proposal for the transfer of the Kamp-concept on other rivers (different dimension, slope, flow velocity, geomorphology…) and an improvement was carried out. Four rivers (Lech, Rosanna, Trisanna, Bregenzerach), selected because they were strongly affected by the floods in 2002 and 2005, were surveyed for this study. Based on results of model analysis and numerical simulations extra- and interpolation for selected river types were done. Furthermore an analysis of the situation relating vegetation and floods on basis of available flood documentations were carried out. Besides hydraulic impacts the discussion of the ecological importance of vegetation is substantial.
The results of this study showed that the concept of spatial varying vegetation management is adaptable on other rivers. The division of a river into the before mentioned three sections with cor-responding vegetation management is, for flood-oriented and ecological purposes, reasonable and necessary and should be implemented in practise.
TP4.3 Ecology – flood protection (EU-National) effects of the water framework
di-rective
Lead: Prof. Dr. Susanne Muhar, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vien-na
Based on status quo analyses of the large Austrian rivers (53, catchment area > 500 km2) the morphological river type of these rivers will be analysed, which have been representative for the Austrian river-landscapes and which have been impacted and altered dramatically. Additionally those human uses within the valley bottom are identified, which are in conflict with an ecological intact river – floodplain system. A detailed spatial data analysis at six rivers delineates the remain-ing potential of floodplain areas both for flood retention and the implementation of restoration pro-grammes at the reach and section scale.
Beside the Austrian wide overview case studies will be used for specific analyses: (1) effects of high flood events on river floodplains, in particular on nutrient dynamics (2) differences and syner-gies of Water Framework Directive, Flood Directive and Natura 2000 (3) documentation of the legal framework and methodological approaches for the development of reference conditions/guiding views (Austrian Danube River).
TP4.4 Flood Plain Invenvory
Lead: Dr. Martin Götzl, Austrian Environmental Agency, Vienna
Goal of the project:
Flood plains are described and evaluated regarding their typology, machrocore, hydrological as-pects, utilization, covered area and habitat characteristics.
Main tasks:
• Complete capture, characterisation and evaluation of the flood plains in Carinthia and Sty-ria, minimum area 3ha<, scale 1:10:000
• Basic capture for total Austria, minimum area 20ha<, scale 1:10:000 • Analysis of literature and data from the provinces as well as field work.
3.5. Flood Management
TP5.1 Hazard zone map, HZM: estimation of the risk potential of land slides and
slope movements based on an example in Gasen/Haslau (Austria)
Lead: Dr. A. Kociu, BFW, Austria
1) Combining available data to mass movement in the region of Gasen and Haslau (based on those gathered in the flood event of 2005 by various institutions)
2) Evaluation of the Data (each institution is validating their set of data in reference to the other sets and conducts the appropriate corrections if necessary)
3) Definition of possible need for collecting new data
4) Modelling (statistic evaluation) of the mass movement data to obtain the necessary parame-ter combination for the potential of mass movement.
5) Evaluation of the area in regard of its potential of mass movement and the effects of spatial relevant areas within the HZM of Gasen und Haslau.
6) Combining available data to mass movement in the region of Gasen and Haslau (based on those gathered in the flood event of 2005 by various institutions)
7) Evaluation of the Data (each institution is validating their set of data in reference to the other sets and conducts the appropriate corrections if necessary)
9) Modelling (statistic evaluation) of the mass movement data to obtain the necessary parame-ter combination for the potential of mass movement.
TP5.2 Development of standards and approaches for the inventory and condition
assessment (condition monitoring) of torrent control measures
Lead: DDI Jürgen Suda, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna Torrent protection structures constitute one of the most important elements of the measures under-taken for the safety of alpine habitats against natural hazards. As with any other structure or build-ing, regular inspections, as well as maintenance and keeping in good repair are a basic require-ment for structural safety and usability; in other words, a lasting protective effect generally depends on the fulfilment of these requirements.
The inspection and maintenance of structures and buildings in the engineering sector is as a rule well developed. Methods and models for maintenance management are available inter alia in structural engineering as well as for road and bridge construction. Ideally, maintenance manage-ment involves an integrated system of routine inspections and checks, regular maintenance cycles, targeted maintenance measures and database-supported documentation. The aim is to develop a cost calculation system that is applicable to the whole life cycle of a particular structure or building (Life Cycle Costing / LCC).
In the domain of structural protection against natural hazards, which includes preventive structures for torrent control, it has up to now not been possible to develop, or implement, any comparable models. This backlog with respect to other engineering disciplines becomes understandable when viewed in the light of the extreme environmental conditions and the decentralised locations of tor-rent protection structures. Maintenance management in tortor-rent catchments is thus extremely com-plex and difficult to standardise. On the other hand, the safety of human lives or, in any case, the future existence of important material assets may depend on the operability of protective struc-tures. Furthermore, of the almost unmanageable stocks of protective structures which have been built in Austria over the last few decades, those of the first generation will soon reach the limits of their life span. The responsibility for the maintenance of protective structures is distributed among a large number of public and private organisations (public authorities, administration, private legal entities), and the tasks and duties are often unclear or not sufficiently known to the parties con-cerned. In addition, relevant standards and basic training for qualified staff necessary for regular inspections have been missing up to now.
For these reasons, there have been initiatives in several alpine countries in the past few years to provide a systematic basis for maintenance management of torrent protection structures. In Aus-tria, the standards required were developed by the Austrian Lebensministerium [Ministry of Agricul-ture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management] (Wildbach- und Lawinenverbauung [torrent and avalanche control]), in collaboration with the Institute of Structural Engineering of the Vienna
University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences and the working group 10.03 (protection structures for torrent control) at the Austrian Standards Institute. The results of this extensive work have been summarised in the project reports at hand. Thus a broad basic knowledge, which cor-responds to state-of-the-art technology, can be made available to engineers in practice for main-tenance management and status assessments (damage evaluation) in future. The results were also used as a basis for the preparation of the ONR 24803 Schutzbauwerke der Wildbachver-bauung: Betrieb, Überwachung und Instandhaltung [protective structures for torrent control: opera-tion, inspection and maintenance] (publicaopera-tion, January 2008, Austrian Standards Institute), the first standard rules and regulations in this area in the German speaking world.
The present publication is intended for all experts in science and practice, with the aim to give them overall support in complying with the responsibilities of maintenance management and status assessment. The guidebook, however, does not replace any adaptations of the methods sug-gested, should they be needed in the individual case in question. It is up to the expert to select those methods and data that he believes to be adequate for the relevant case at hand.
On the part of the contracting party, the outstanding achievements of the authors, notably project participant DDI Jürgen Suda, should be mentioned and valued as forward-looking in many fields within Austria and beyond. A large number of related publications in relevant technical journals (Bautechnik/D [structural engineering, Germany], Wasser-Energie-Luft/CH [water-energy-air, Swit-zerland], Structure and Infrastructure Engineering/USA, Österreichische Wasserwirtschaft [Aus-trian water management], Wildbach- und Lawinenverbau [torrent and avalanche control], Österrei-chische Forstzeitung [Austrian Journal of Forest Sciences], Kommunal [local paper]) bear witness to the quality of the work accomplished. Without the support of many colleagues working in torrent and avalanche control both at home and abroad such a huge accumulation of knowledge would not have been possible, which is why our thanks go to all those whose names are not listed here and who have contributed to the success of this work.
We hope that with this guidebook we have paved the way to comprehensive management of tor-rent control in Austria, and that collaboration between science and practice, for the purpose of safety from natural hazards, will continue to thrive in future.
TP5.3 Local structural protection measures – options and limitations
Lead: Prof. Dr. Johannes Hübl, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna During the last decades, settlement activities increased in European mountain regions. Due to the scarceness of areas suitable for development, residential estates were extended into areas en-dangered by natural hazards such as mass movements. These settlements generally show a con-siderable vulnerability to tangible assets.
the assessment of such endangered areas. According to the natural hazard process of static and dynamic (flash) floods with fluvial sediment transport and various structural elements of buildings, a catalogue of local structural measures is presented with respect to occurring proc-ess impacts and protection objectives. Thereby, different local structural measures are classi-fied and recommend-ed according to a possible implementation for newly-erectrecommend-ed buildings and for upgrading existing buildings, respectively. Based on these recommendations, future needs for a sustainable and comprehensive reduction of risk in settlement areas endangered by floods are outlined.
TP6.1 Reconstruction measures and integrated flood risk management
Lead: Prof. Dr.Helmut Habersack, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
In this study the emergency measures which serve to repair an recover damages after floods are analyzed and suggestions to improve designs and implementation are elaborated. An important goal is the development of measures which provide a sustainable improvement of the flood protec-tion under consideraprotec-tion of the river morphology and ecology. In a problem analysis, the deficien-cies are identified and potential for optimization are highlighted.
Today emergency measures must be planned and implemented under great time pressure. There-fore, it would be useful to have data bases and / or designs in case of emergency prepared. The flood event 2005 made clear that capacity limits in engineering companies as well as in the admin-istration can lead to problems. If emergency measures are carried out immediately after or during the flood event as part of the disaster management coordinated by the local administration consid-eration of the flood control management division is imperative.
For the design of sustainable flood protection measures the availability of land is often problematic. The morphologic space demand of a river shall be specially considered. This allows the energy transformation in controlled areas, leading to a minimization of the potential damage. The morpho-logic space demand of a river should be considered as a minimal space demand of the river for morphologic changes in the technical guidelines and the land use planning law.
Through information and awareness raising in the population and / or the land-owners the willing-ness to provide areas for river management measures (flood protection) would be better achieva-ble.
For the purposes of sustainable flood protection a comprehensive compilation of river development concepts, including designs for emergency measures, taking into account the morphological space demand of rivers should be aspired. Up to date databases (hydraulic, hydrological, ecological and morphological data) are required. In morphologically sensitive areas (eg, bridges, material input, settlement areas, etc.) a comparison of scenarios should be done.
Existing hydrodynamic numerical models should be enhanced and explained to the students. The consideration of sediment transport and morphodynamics at runoff studies should be promoted (mobile bed simulation).
For the implementation of emergency measures a manual with "best-practice examples” would be useful to assist the engineers and to define a standard in the design of emergency measures.
TP6.3 Action plan against floodings in Radkersburg (Austria)
Lead: Prof. Dr. Günther Heigert, Technical University, Graz, Austria
www.steiermark.at
The goals of the project were:
• The increase of public awareness in regard of floods in the region Radkersburg • Improvement of the information available regarding floods
• Action plan to minimize the damage potential due to flooding For the whole region Radkersburg three topics were dealt with:
• Flood prevention (e.g. building adjustments according to risk of flooding, flood warning) • Active flood protection (e.g. dams)
• Water retention potentials
TP6.4 Evaluation of mobile flood protection systems related to flood risk
man-agement. Objective assessment of frequently used mobile flood protection
sys-tems
Lead: DI Christoph Hauer, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna The catastrophic floodings of 2002 and 2005 exhibited that the need for sustainable flood protec-tion is increasing caused by rising populaprotec-tion density and concentraprotec-tion of valuables in low lying inundation areas. Therefore, the demand of technical protection is growing as well. This report in-vestigates and summarizes the role of mobile flood protection system in relation to flood risk analy-sis and management. Caused by dense use of inundation areas mostly little space for permanent protection schemes like dikes is given. But, before an application and practical use of mobile flood protection systems, other issues should be mentioned, which are ranked as having higher priority related to sustainable flood risk management. Displacement of settlements, management of inun-dation areas for flood water retention and vegetation management (only major points exemplarily highlighted) are some issues which should be preferred by stakeholders and policy makers as fa-voured management options. Furthermore, mainly for practical purposes, the report discusses the benefits and weaknesses of different flood protection systems (e.g. container systems, mass sys-tems, flap syssys-tems, wall systems) and presents an objective decision guide for the use of mobile structures. For selecting the appropriate system various quantitative and qualitative criteria have to
be considered. Hence, a evaluation matrix, which is presented in the report, can act as a valuable decision tool for choosing the most suitable mobile flood protection system for a specific site.
TP6.5 International comparison of administrative structures in regard of the
or-ganisationi of integrated flood risk management
Lead: Prof. Dr. Helmut Habersack, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
This project is a comparative study of international administration bodies in relation to integrated flood management. Parts of this study have been taken over from the Interreg III project ‘Flus-sraum Agenda Alpenraum – Vergleichende Studie über die Organisation der Wasserwirtschaft und die Gewässerplanungsinstrumente im Alpenraum’, as well as internet search and questionnaires respectively.
The following countries were surveyed: Germany (Bavaria, Baden Württemberg, Saxony), France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy (South Tirol), England, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia. The objec-tive of this study is the analysis of national and international administration bodies concerning wa-ter management. Referring to this, different key aspects are evaluated, as the appropriation of so-vereign duties, analysis of spatial references, discussion of the implementation of integrated water management, exposure of guidelines authority as well as the operative business of planning and implementation flood protection measures.
The results of this study show that
• in all studied countries flood management is the duty of the ministry,
• the competence for guidelines in all studies countries is situated at ministerial level, • there exists no spatial disconnection in all reviewed countries,
• in all western countries the implementation of integrated water management is realized. Important is that in none of the investigated countries a border of competence within a catchment exists, as it is in Austria currently.
On basis of these results general recommendations for the restructuring of the flood management in Austria can be formulated. The international accepted integrated water management (use water, protect water and protection from water) should be kept in Austria. Furthermore, an overall view of river basins without spatial boundaries of competence should be present. Sovereign duties within flood management as well as the authority for guidelines should be in the area of ministerial opera-tions. Beyond, the restructuring should take the international standards into account.
TP7.1 Maintenance of embankment dams – model for monitoring and safety
con-cept
Lead: Prof. Dr. Heinz Brandl, Technical University Vienna
In the years 2002 and 2006 numerous longitudinal river dikes were heavily damaged by floods or they even failed. Consequently, this has required a local rehabilitation of damaged areas and also, a global risk evaluation was needed to minimize further damages of flood protection fill dams. Embankment dams (dikes) along rivers have been built for flood protection of settlement areas over decades and centuries. To provide a high stability and functional capability of the protective structures, the embankments have to be periodically checked and also maintenance measures have to be performed. This inspection procedure can be provided as a permanent or periodical monitoring. However, it should be distinguished between the first-time checking of the current state and the dam monitoring. A global assessment of the situation is mostly provided without any accu-rate knowledge of dam and subsurface properties, whereas monitoring is based on a periodical registration and observation of change processes and long-term behaviour.
With regard to the general condition exploration of embankments in terms of the current-state as-sessment, there are primarily geotechnical investigation concepts used. These require a direct as well as an indirect soil identification/exploration with a subsequent classification of specific soil properties in the laboratory. The collected data and information allow in dependence to the number of investigation points and the variation of individual techniques a very detailed, but only punctual assessment. Therefore, geophysical methods are used as an additional technique for a better in-terpretation and spatial underground description. Moreover, they are also suitable as an instrument for dam monitoring. Geophysical methods need to be always calibrated on direct geotechnical in-vestigation.
The informational value and the accuracy of the results strongly depend on the exploration method, on the equipment as well as on the geological and hydrological conditions of the underground. A general comparison of individual methods and techniques is difficult to perform; it is possible only with regard to the specific properties. A selection concept as a decision guidance has been set up for a systematic application of these methods. This concept depends on the different physical prin-cipals on which the methods are based and it defines their application limits as well as the ap-proach for a dam evaluation or exploration respectively.
Permanent monitoring systems were developed for leak detection location and identification of structure’s deformations primarily for tailing dams. Today, similar systems are used also for flood protective structures (embankment dams). These methods are still costly and timeconsu ing, but they can be systematically applied for safety-related embankment dam sections. Anyway, the pe-riodical monitoring should be still a part of a superior monitoring and safety concept.
The basis for a periodical monitoring is a visual inspection of the dikes by experts or skilled per-sonal. During this inspection the main focus should be given to the current state of the embank-ment dam. Especially, the zones with surface erosion and indications to inner erosion are of high importance.
The assessment of the dam conditions and near-surface layers can be provided by the combina-tion of multi funccombina-tional exploracombina-tion techniques based on principles of geophysics. Similar, as for the visual inspection for monthly control, geoelectrics can be used not only for extraordinary purposes, but also as a state of the art method extensive periodical monitoring.
The guidelines presented in this report give an overview of existing investigation methods in form of a tabular decision matrix. Primarily, the advantages and disadvantages are systematically dis-cussed and classified regarding to their suitability as a monitoring system. This approach will ena-ble experts and representatives of water authorities etc. to quickly decide which methodology is most suitable under certain conditions.
3.6. Spatial Planning
TP8.1 Awareness raising in relation to the natural hazard “water”
Lead: Christine Radler, WWF Austria
The research focussed on availability, quality, quanity and usage of school material deal-ing with „natural hazards, flooding, revitalisation”.
In this connection we investigated projects which are available for schools as well as the expe-rience of the execution. 38% of the people who sent the questionnaire back told us, that they are working with schools. 43 % would have the possibility to go to schools, if materials ready for use would exist. 38 % of the people we asked have special contact persons for the schools.
Most of the projects we found are in the category of “information” due to the model of Fien et. al (see page 9). Many areas have a lack of projects in the category “education” and “capacity build-ing”.
Based on the results we developed some strategic planning, which led to a first measure: the in-stallation of an “information platform”.
The research was not only about school education, but also about adult education. Adult education provides at the moment only a very limited offer and should be developed fur-ther. 51 % of the people we asked told us, that they have contacts to the local population – mostly by lectures – and 36 % have developed own materials. A big part of the existing projects we can find in the category
“information” and not in the categories “education” and “capacity building”. Some ideas for “adult education” are mentioned in this paper
TP8.2 Guidance paper: Public participation within flood risk management
projects
Lead: Dr. Therese Stickler, Austrian Environmental Agency, Vienna
Integrated flood risk management is a very complex and complicated matter -Legal aspects, tech-nical requirements, ecological, economical and spatial planning aspects are to be considered as well as political demands. Additionally, decisions should be made in a participatory way, including either representatives of the public or the public at large. The European Water Framework Direc-tive demands the integration of water users; participation is also a basic rule of sustainable devel-opment. Administrators, politicians on the national, regional and local level, representatives of far-mers, hunting, fishery and tourism, NGOs, land owners, energy suppliers and ordinary people: all of these should be integrated into a project partnership. As the legal and technical requirements for integrated flood risk management are often complicated, possibilities for such a partnership some-times arise only when taking a closer look. But as shown by the examples of the projects men-tioned in the annex of this handbook, it is possible to find and use a scope for public participation also in such complex technical matters – if there is a suitable intention on the part of the project leaders.
This handbook contains a selection of materials and instruments showing the benefits – but also the limits – of public participation within flood risk projects and is designed to give support for plan-ning such processes. A short overview of the legal framework, the intensity and depth of participa-tion, a tool for analysing the context and the parties (or stakeholders) to be involved in a project is followed by an overview of different methods for public participation. A short chapter about poten-tial conflicts and a glossary conclude this part of the guidebook on methodology.
Additionally, eleven good practice examples of participation processes in flood risk projects in Aus-trian regions show how the public can be involved in such processes.
TP9.1.1 An evaluation of transnational and national projects with the subject
“in-tegrated flood management”
Lead: DI Klaus Michor, Revital-Ecoconsult
In the last years Austria handled several EU-Projects and national projects with the subject “grated Floodmanagement”. These Projects worked on new strategies and scenarios within an inte-grated risk management in alpine countries (Interreg IIIB-Projects; FLUSSRAUM AGENDA, ILUP, SUMAD). Also national projects (such as LIFE) are providing interesting aspects to the subject of
floodmanagment.
Based on a short description of interesting national and international Projects and the resulting international cooperation, the main projects are combined to an Austrian conclusion. With the me-thods of interviews and inquests die main aims and results of the pieced projects have been fil-tered. The main focus of each project und the resulting synergies und problems are shown in the next step.
Integrated Floodmanagement wants to achieve the common aim - the flood-safeness - through a reasonable coaction of different arrangements. This aim has been traced from all projects, never-theless there have been different circumstances.
Hydraulic engineering for flood protection has been a key point within the most projects, but was never considered as a stand alone aim. Precaution (in form of spatial planning) and sensitization of the people are established criteria now. Altogether the analyzed projects had the common aim of a lasting flood protection.
Integrated risk management can not solve all problems but it gives the frame for practicable plan-ning in the future. If it’s possible to enhance the synergies between the different special planplan-ning fields, problems concerning the use of space in river areas can be solved more efficiently. As a part of this, flood management needs PR-work in every case of planning.
Austria is a good exemplar for a new integrated Floodmanagement because of its experiences in the past. If this way will be continued in future, problems concerning floods will be reduced dramat-ically.
TP9.1.2 Strategic spatial development plan for flood protection
Lead: DI Verna Manhart, Revital-Ecoconsult
Spatial planning strategies are getting more and more important within the integrated risk man-agement. Lots of flood protection measures require space for their realization, which is coordinated with other utilisations and is assured in a long run. Measures as well for active as for passive flood protection are affected. Furthermore ecological and social aspects (according to the EU Water Framework Directive) have to be fulfilled.
Therefore the protective water management spatial development plan („Schutzwasserwirtschaf-tliche Raumentwicklungsplan, short: SREP) was designed on two rivers (Möll and Gurk). The re-quirements of local and regional spatial planning and these of the protecitve water management are compared, current and potential conflicts are analysed and – based on default “rules” – dis-solved.
management and coordinated with the spatial planning. The great benefit of the SREP compared to hazard maps is, that not only the existing risks are represented, but also the required space for the planning of the measures is considered providently.
The SREP is seen as an addition to the hazard strategies, which should not be replaced, but sup-plemented. To create such a spatial development plan several basics (finalized planning of meas-ures, zoning plans, hazard zone plans etc.) have to be given. It is recommended to develop the SREP in the course of “Gewässerentwicklungskonzepten” and the results or this progress should be implemented into the tolls of spatial planning. It is an interesting approach to develop a higher-ranking, strategic planning level to connect and coordinate the needs of different disciplines acting in the areas near the rivers (cp. strategic environmental audit, “SUP”).
Summing up great importance is attached to the cooperation of spatial planning and water man-agement concerning their planning processes und requirements within the area and catchment of the river. This cooperation should be accompanied by continuous participation of the local popula-tion.
TP9.2 Comparison of existing instruments und directives within the disciplines
spatial planning and water management in Austria with the aim of ensuring areas
(basic study)
Lead: Mag. Mario Lumasegger, Revital-Ecoconsult
In this basic study existing instruments and directives within the disciplines spatial planning and water management with the aim of ensuring areas in river regions are analyzed. The focus is set to the instruments of spatial planning. This study may be the base for future developments of instru-ments or recommendations concerning the area management in river regions.
After a short description of the existing instruments a matrix has been developed with all compara-ble directives for spatial planning set by law in the Austrian provinces. For analyzing the execution of these directives und the general problems between spatial planning and water management leading people from several spatial planning departments in Austrian provinces have been inter-viewed. Because of this information, it was possible to check the interface between spatial plan-ning and water management (communals and provinces) and to highlight the main problems for every province and for the whole country.
The main needs for action in this area of conflict are described as follows:
• The possibilities set by law are used in different ways in the Austrian provinces. It is in the mind of the professionals to protect the areas but the implementation is not guaranteed.
• Cooperation between communals, provinces and neighbour countries in causes of spatial planning is often not implemented
• In most cases not enough restriction is given by the available instruments. • Participation of local population in the process of planning is not guaranteed.
• Coordination between spatial planning and water management is essential, but often the communi-cation process does not work
TP9.1.3 Implementation of future strategies concerning risk-reducing land uses –
Part: relocation
Lead: Prof. Dr. Walter Seher, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna Relocation of floodprone objects and villages is an instrument aiming at a permanent reduction of potential flood damages. Relocation is also suitable in developing new retention areas and wet-lands and therefore a contribution to the goals of the EU Water Framework Directive. For the people affected relocations lead to decisive changes in their lifes. Besides personal aspects like fear of changes or stress within the family, additional financial and social burdens like loosing the neighbourhood have to be beared. Based upon a relocation project in Upper Austria and other comparable projects recommendations are presented regarding a socially acceptable design and implementation of relocation processes. These recommendations aim at public relation, communi-cation, transparency, safety of financing, adapted scheduling and understanding the situation of the people involved. Furthermore the relocation issue is linked with aspects of water management, ecology, law and spatial planning. Being responsible for local land use planning the municipalities are important in allocating new building sites for the people relocated especially regarding site layout and provision of service facilities.
TP9.3.2 Implementation of future strategies concerning risk-reducing land uses –
Part: intercommunal cooperation
Lead: Prof. Dr. Walter Seher, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna The European Union Water Framework Directive as well as the EU Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks request a regional catchment related access in flood risk preven-tion. In Austria there are hazard informations available on a regional level, regional planning aiming at a reduction of damage potential and or conservation of retention areas is currently little devel-oped. The instruments of planning at a supra-local level allow treating natural hazards but respec-tive regulations are no core element of regional and sectoral programms. An alternarespec-tive access in flood risk prevention is municipal cooperation. Using a stakeholder and process related research approach the framework of municipal cooperation was analysed in the case study region Aist in Upper Austria. Analyse results show that these cooperations develop as direct reactions to recent flood events. Important requirements are existing hazard expertise, the initiative and the
