Flexibility in Adaptation Planning

When, Where and How to Include Flexibility for Increasing Urban Flood Resilience

Mohanasundar Radhakrishnan

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9780815357292
• eBook ISBN:
  9781351056205
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Environmental Science
• Index: Biological Sciences

The magnitude and urgency of the need to adapt to climate change is such that addressing it has been taken up by the United Nations as one of the sustainable development goals - Goal 13 (SDG13) in 2015. SDG13 emphasises the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazards and natural disasters. Coping with urban floods is one of the major needs of climate adaptation, where integration of climate change responses into flood risk management policies, strategies and planning at international, national, regional and local levels is now the norm. However, much of this integration lacks effectiveness or real commitment from stakeholders involved in adaptation planning and implementation. Hence this research has focused on integrating flexibility based adaptation responses into an urban flood risk management context. The research has synthesised flexible adaptation practices from several disciplines including information technology, automobile and aerospace manufacturing. The outcomes of the research are brought together in a framework for structuring local adaptation responses and an adaptation planning process based on flexibility concepts. The outcomes provide a way to assist with the identification of the appropriate nature and type of flexibility required; where flexibility can best be incorporated; and when is the most appropriate time to implement the flexible adaptation responses in the context of urban flooding.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Summary

Samenvatting

தொகுப்பு

1 Introduction

2 Structuring Climate Adaptation Through Multiple Perspectives: Framework And Case Study On Flood Risk Management

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Background

2.2.1 Contemporary adaptation planning perspectives

2.2.2 Challenges in structuring adaptation responses

2.2.3 Gap between adaptation planning and implementation

2.2.4 Understanding adaptation in a local context

2.3 Methodology

2.4 Framework for structuring climate adaptation responses using multiple perspectives

2.4.1 Ascertain the adaptation context and needs (Step -1)

2.4.2 Bring together the multiple perspectives in adaptation context (Step 2)

2.4.3 Determine the drivers of change (Step 3)

2.4.4 Collate the characteristic features of adaptation measures (Step 4)

2.4.5 Establish the links and compatibility between the adaptation measures across perspectives (Step 5)

2.4.6 Finalise and implement adaptation measures (Step 6)

2.5 Analysing climate adaptation planning and implementation in an urban context: Can Tho, Vietnam

2.5.1 Ascertain the adaptation context and needs (Step -1)

2.5.2 Bring together the multiple perspectives in adaptation context (Step 2)

2.5.3 Determine the drivers of change (Step 3)

2.5.4 Collate the characteristic features of adaptation measures (Step 4)

2.5.5 Establish the links and compatibility between the adaptation measures across perspectives (Step 5)

2.5.6 Finalise and implement adaptation measures (Step 6)

2.6 Discussion

2.7 Conclusions

3 Coping Capacities For Improving Adaptation Pathways For Flood Protection In Can Tho, Vietnam

3.1 Assessment Of Coping Capacity Along Adaptation Pathways

3.2 Methodology For Assessment Of Coping Capacity On Adaptation Tipping Points And Adaptation Pathways

3.3 Case Study Can Tho, Vietnam

3.3.1 Current, future situations and objectives (Step 1)

3.3.2 Problem Assessment (Step 2)

3.3.3 Proposed And Potential Flood Protection Measures (Step 3)

3.3.4 Social Acceptance And Coping With Flooding (Step 3a)

3.3.5 Revising objectives to reflect coping potential (Step 3b)

3.3.6 Determination of ATP (Step 4)

3.3.7 Determination of Time of occurrence of ATPs (Step 5)

3.3.8 Creating, evaluating and sequencing Adaptation Pathways (Step 6)

3.4 Discussion

3.5 Conclusions

4 Context specific adaptation grammar for climate adaptation in urban areas

4.1 Introduction

4.2 The Need for context specific adaptation grammar

4.3 Methodology

4.3.1 Exogenous scenario space

4.3.2 Adaptation modules

4.3.3 Adaptation trigger

4.3.4 Pathway evaluation function

4.4 Case Study

4.4.1 Structuring the climate adaptation context in Can Tho

4.4.2 Application of context specific grammar in Can Tho

4.4.2.1 Exogenous scenario space

4.4.2.2 Adaptation modules

4.4.2.3 Adaptation trigger

4.4.2.4 Evaluation of adaptation pathways

4.5 Discussion

4.6 Conclusions

5 Flexible adaptation planning for water sensitive cities

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Flexibility in contemporary flood risk management practices

5.3 Flexibility in manufacturing

5.4 Flexible adaptation planning process in WSC context

5.5 Development of flexible adaptation planning process for WSC

5.6 Practical considerations for applying WSC app

5.7 Conclusions

6 Flexible adaptation planning in a water sensitive Melbourne

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Methodology

6.3 Application of WSCapp in Elster creek, Melbourne

6.3.1 Identify vision, scenarios and uncertainty

6.3.2 Determine Drivers Related To Uncertainty And The Changes Anticipated

6.3.3 Understand the attributes of adaptation measures and define range of possibilities

6.3.4 Identify effective adaptive measures and interactions

6.3.4.1 Identification of effective adaptation measures based on change propagation

6.3.4.2 Identification Of Effective Adaptation Measures Based On Interrelationships

6.3.5 Creating flexible design alternatives or pathways

6.3.6 Determine costs and benefits

6.3.7 Final portfolio of adaptation measures

6.4 Discussion

6.5 Conclusions

7 Operationalising flexibility: Agile urban planning process

7.1 Urgency and uncertainty in urban adaptation

7.1.1 Addressing urgency and uncertainty in urban adaptation

7.2 Agile principles

7.2.1 Agility principles in Urban Development

7.2.2 Essential objectives and practical principles for agile urban adaptation

7.3 Possibilities for applying agile principles in Can Tho

7.3.1 Are there generally accepted ‘virtual-worlds’?

7.3.2 Equal importance for Type I and Type II adaptation

7.3.3 Lack of flexibility and value from the proposed adaptation measures

7.3.4 Stakeholders working together

7.4 Discussion

7.5 Conclusion

8 Conclusions

9 References

Acknowledgements

Verse 110 Tirukural (Thiruvalluar 31 BC)

Forgetting to do good and you may find salvation yet
But forget gratitude you’re headed for destruction’s net
Translation by Gandhi (2015)

I am overwhelmed with the support and wishes of so many nice and kind people throughout my life. At the outset I thank the people and the Commonwealth Government of Australia for supporting my research through the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities project (CRCWSC). I thank Dr. S.D. Badri Nath and Dr. A. Panner Selvam for their guidance and support in encouraging me to pursue research. I thank my friend Kathiravan Jeyakumar for the Tamil translation and Mr. Geor Hintzen for the Dutch translation of the summary. I also remember with thank the continuous support of Mr. Naga Sreenivas and Dr.Mohanavadivu for their inputs since the proposal stage of this research. I thank Prof. Arthur Mynett the Saturday morning chats and Prof. Rosh Ranasinghe for their words of encouragement throughout the thesis period. I thank Jolanda, Anique, Tonneke and Martine for the wonderful administrative support through my stay at IHE. My ultimate Alpha team of “Mike Ones” at GIZ especially, Esakki, Ramesh Ji, Jiten, Vibhor, Venu shared their invaluable day to day knowledge and difficulties on urban adaptation.

Dr. Tushith Islam contributed not only to the development of context specific adaptation grammar but also introduced me to the diverse concepts of adaptation practices in Software, Automobile and Aerospace industries. I fondly remember the support that I received from the Briony Rogers and Christian Urich in the Elwood research group. Roland Lowe and Prof. Karsten Arnjberg Neilsen were very patient, supportive, hosted me in Copenhagen and treated me as their own team member during the development of the Elster creek urban drainage model. Roland and Christian deserve a special mention for dragging me into the sea and making me surf in Australia©.

I also thank my fellow FRG buddies Kim, Flora, Ngyen, Marilou, William, Jeron, Carlos and Polpot for sharing their knowledge and help. “Mr. Q” alias Nguyen Hong Quan has been my motivation and a solid companion in broadening my vision on climate adaptation and to venture into climate adaptation practices in Vietnam.

I am grateful for all the difficult and the almost annoying questions of Dr. Berry Gersonius, my daily supervisor, without which I would have ended up with a big confusing story instead of a thesis. Thanks for asking me the difficult questions, sounding me about the current trends, training me in finding mistakes and also for packing me off to Melbourne for six weeks with a weeks’ notice©.

Prof. Dr. Chris Zevenbergen, my promotor, has always been my mind reader. Notwithstanding my confusing, uncoherent explanations and writings, Chris saw the crux of matter behind it and polished the papers, making me wonder “Dude, how did you do this!!!!”. Chris prophesised rightly after my proposal defence that my thesis would be completely different from what I proposed to do. Thank you Chris for the constant encouragement.

Prof. Richard Ashely, Godfather of this thesis on whose feet I submit it, was always available on email and Skype and guided me throughout these four years. I was always looking forward to the weekly skype meetings and the comments on my work. The comments were direct, reflective and with satirical sense of humour. I and my housemates Tom and Mathew used to jump like kids, who receive the weekly edition of comics by post, and gather around the screen when his comments arrive. Chris knew where I was going from the beginning but Richard, you were the one guiding and encouraging me all along, asking me not be afraid, to take all the crazy, interesting detours. A thank you is not enough Richard.

Dr. Assela Pathirana, my co-promotor, is the man behind this thesis. I almost gave up the idea of doing PhD nearly five years ago due to my love and passion for working with Doctors without Borders in emergency situations. It was the unrelenting pursuit of Assela to secure funding for my research which changed my mind. Most importantly Assela gave me the freedom to chase the crazy ideas I had. Also he had immense trust in me, which played a crucial role in motivating me to complete this research. I owe this PhD to you Assela.

I would be cursed without coffee in my afterlife if I forget to mention Maged, Damon, Daphne, and the lovely team at Café Zondag, from where I wrote this entire thesis. Thank you fellows for the bottomless cups of flat whites, hummus sandwiches and Tajine served with lots of love.

Rev. Walraut and Fr. Avin, my spiritual gurus at Delft, always motivated me to keep going whenever I was on an emotional roller coaster. I thank and remember with gratitude my friends from (i) ISC community especially Mathew, Tom, Punki & Senot, Claudia & Gijs, Claudia & Pavel, Ashish, Arun, Joana, Catarina (Big Cat), Etienne, Mariana & Francesco, Consta & Mithun, Carmen, Ella and Janet; (ii) IHE especially Mamaii Chris, Eva, Tita Marilou, Nadya, Victor, Feranda, Paulo Corgosinho, Sachin & Keerthi, Mohammed & Bahour, Vero, Zara, Pedi, Joesph, Nirajan & Anitha, Noor, Nguyen and Alex; and (iii) all over Netherlands Frederik & Ericka; Assela, Chandini Akka & Kids; Rangarajan Sir & Rani Amma and all other friends. Thank you all so much for being my family at Delft. Dank u wel.

I also thank the next generation of kids: my lovely little niece Manojna (Ingu pullai) © and all my lovely little playmates in Delft Manu, Angila, Benta, Jochem, Katarina, Nicolas, Kora, Sofia, Zara, Ali, Sania for instilling hope and responsibility in me towards making this world a better place for them.

Also thank you Rajesh Bava for madly following a dream and being a living example for perseverance, determination and courage. I thank my lovely friend Athena and her family, hailing from Normandy in France, for having adopted me as one of their own, showering their love and kindness in all these years. Be it far or near, my friends Kavin, Kirubar, Gowri, Vignes, Esakki Raj, Rakesh, Raja Guru, Murgesan, their families and my aunt Palayamkottai Atthai (Dr.Maragathavalli) have always been my source of strength and refuge.

It is my parent’s discipline, blessings and sacrifices that forms the bed rock of my success. I thank Amma and Appa for making me who I am. What will I do without my lovely sister Selvi and an understanding brother in-law Govidasamy? It was their constant support, understanding and shouldering my responsibilities made my research life smooth sailing.

Thank you all © © © .

Verse 110 Tirukural (Thiruvalluar 31 BC)

A helpful act howsoever slight When timely, acquires true height
Translation by Gandhi (2015)

Summary

Verse 599, Tirukural (Thiruvalluar 31 BC)

“Huge bulk of elephant with pointed tusk all armed,
when tiger threatens shrinks away alarmed!”

Translation based on Pope et al. (1886)

Flooding has impacts on human activity. The positive impacts contribute to increased water availability and alluvium which increases agricultural productivity in flood plains. The negative impacts are associated with damage to life, property...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Halftitle
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents