| dc.description.abstract | As flooding continues to impact cities worldwide, engineering studies are focused on finding best strategies for Flood Risk Reduction (FRR) aiming mainly to the return of the pre-development state (before urban growth). However, current approaches provide a minor reflection of how communities at risk can adapt, reorganise, and sustain changes for the future. This thesis contributes to this context, by including the perspective of FRR as a “social phenomenon”, enabling the discussion of (1) why some places experience catastrophic risk impacts with losses of properties and lives, and (2) what are the barriers and challenges to move FRR forward in vulnerable regions. In this context, the main objective of this thesis is to develop an integrated spatial-participatory framework for FRR in a Brazilian vulnerable area, the semiarid region. The framework was applied in the city of Campina Grande, located in Paraiba state. Campina Grande represents a middle-sized city with more than 400,000 inhabitants who face urban growth, social inequalities, water-related disasters, pluvial flooding (FR), and water shortage (WSR) risks. The integrated framework was built with the assumption that characterising the current NEEDS, enlightens the selection of appropriate ACTIONS and solutions for FRR in the local scale (i.e., NEEDS for ACTION). The framework combines participatory planning strategies with spatial tools, such as ArcGIS Pro (ESRI), Cellular Automata Dual-DrainagE Simulation (CADDIES) model, and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). The participatory approach entitled as the PLANEJEEE Project (To Plan Extreme Events – “Planeje Eventos Extremos” in Portuguese) was formulated with the participation of residents, local authorities and specialists. 255 people participated of different strategies, including online and in-person surveys, informal meetings, workshops, and focus groups in 2019 and 2021. Results from the surveys shows that socio-economic, geographical, informational and contextual factors impact the risk perception and coping capacity of residents. When comparing FR and WSR perceptions, findings shows that resources related to information (communication), incentives and trust should be provided for improving residents’ coping capacity before, during, and after the water-related events. Also, FRR challenges and future solutions are discussed in relation to issues with management, legislation, governance, society, and collaboration. The approach also developed mappings with spatial datasets for representing the current and future distribution of flood hazard, vulnerability and exposure. These maps show how residents are differently exposed and vulnerable to flood risk, leading to more inequalities in the city. The thesis is concluded with the analysis of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavement, green areas, and rainwater harvesting for Campina Grande. Findings show that solutions can provide environmental, social and economic benefits for the city, especially when they are combined; however, benefits are varied and located in different areas in the city. Benefits are context-specific, influenced by the place's inherent aspects, such as current needs, the location, and the application area. The thesis finalises with a discussion about how territorial exposure and vulnerability are linked spatial inequalities. Finally, recommendations for FRR in the Brazilian context are provided. | en_GB |
