Author(s): Stefan Haun; Luigia Brandimarte; Francisco Nunez-Gonzalez; Carlo Camporeale; Remi Chassagne; Juha Jarvela; Dirk Muschalla; Carles Ferrer-Boix; Juan Pedro Martin-Vide; Roger Joan Sauquet Llonch; Ines Aquilue Junyent
Linked Author(s): Juha Järvelä, Stefan Haun, Francisco Núñez-González
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Flood hazards in urban areas are increasing due to extensive human alterations, such as land sealing and channelisation, as well as the growing frequency of extreme rainfall events driven by climate change. Traditional flood protection measures often degrade river morphology and aquatic ecosystems. In response, river renaturalisation and restoration have become more important, with the aim of enhancing both ecological status and urban resilience. However, inadequately planned restoration projects combined with altered hydrological regimes can increase the risk of flooding during short, intense storms. Key challenges include insufficient consideration of flash-flood dynamics, degraded and morphologically static channels, and oversimplified treatment of the effects of vegetation. The Flood-Resilient Urban Rivers initiative aims to develop a comprehensive framework for urban river revitalisation. The project focuses on synthesising lessons learned and establishing a virtual centre of excellence to support long-term, interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainable urban river management. The project's outcomes will support the development of comprehensive best practice guidelines for urban river restoration, balancing ecological revitalisation with robust flood resilience, an essential step towards creating sustainable, climate-adapted cities.
Year: 2026