Spatial planning in the face of flood risk

Spatial planning in the face of flood risk: Between inertia and transition

Meng, M. (South China University of Technology; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science)
Dabrowski, M.M. (TU Delft Spatial Planning and Strategy)
Xiong, L. (China Agricultural University)
Stead, D. (TU Delft Spatial Planning and Strategy; Aalto University)

2022

Given the greater risk of flooding in cities due to climate change, spatial planning systems are increasingly expected to contribute to flood resilience. However, incorporating expanded adaption measures in conventional planning practices remains a major challenge due to institutional barriers. Based on the theories of historical institutionalism in relation to path divergence, this paper aims to understand the factors which determine the fate of innovations and departures from established practice. Using Guangzhou as a case study, the paper traces the history of the city's struggle against flooding from the 1920s onwards, building on documentary analysis, mapping and interviews. The findings highlight a deeply rooted attachment to engineering-based solutions to tackle flood risk. It also indicates that departing from an established path to embed nature-based and non-structural solutions in the planning system is more likely to take place in response to changing socio-economic needs and strong institutional support for changes, rather than in response to major flooding events. These findings provide lessons for policymakers and urban planners seeking to enact new policies to enhance flood resilience in spatial planning.

Climate adaptation
Flood resilience
Path dependence
Planning tradition
Policy change
Spatial planning

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:8e3971c0-175f-40b6-aeb1-ee9eec0ca442

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2022.103702

0264-2751

Cities: the international journal of urban policy and planning, 126

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2022 M. Meng, M.M. Dabrowski, L. Xiong, D. Stead