Flood Resilience Research Hub

In 2018-2019, significant investment was made to reinforce floodwalls along the Bui River in Chuong My, Hanoi, costing nearly 40 billion VND. This effort aimed to protect the area from flooding and strengthen the capital’s defenses against severe weather. However, despite these enhancements, Chuong My continues to face flooding challenges, as seen during recent heavy rains in Northern Vietnam.

This situation highlights a crucial issue in flood management: building infrastructure alone may not be sufficient without considering comprehensive, adaptive strategies that address changing climate patterns, upstream water flows, and community engagement.

At Flood Resilience Hub, our research focuses on holistic flood resilience solutions, combining infrastructure like floodwalls with adaptive planning and community-centered approaches. By learning from cases like Chuong My, we can strive for more effective and resilient flood protection systems.

Read more about the situation here:
https://vietnamnet.vn/nghin-met-tuong-chan-song-gan-40-ty-bao-ve-thu-do-khoi-ngap-lut-559787.html
https://en.nhandan.vn/northern-localities-brace-against-complex-flooding-post63586.html
Investment Overview Article
Flooding Challenges Article

Northern localities brace against complex flooding Localities in the northern region are urgently implementing responsive measures against the complex development of floods as water levels in local rivers are increasing.

🌊 The Complex Impact of Floodwalls: Flemington Racecourse Case 🌊

Recent findings from a report on the 2022 Maribyrnong flood highlight the complexities of floodwall design and its unintended consequences. The Flemington Racecourse floodwall, initially built to protect the area, reportedly raised water levels for at least 240 nearby homes by up to 3 centimeters during the disaster. Although the impact wasn't deemed significant enough to warrant tearing down the wall, this event raises important questions about floodwall design, placement, and unintended effects on surrounding communities.

As floodwalls are a critical part of flood resilience strategies, understanding their broader impacts is essential. Our research at Flood Resilience Hub focuses on designing climate-adaptive floodwalls (CAFD) that consider not only immediate protection but also the long-term effects on neighbouring areas.

Flemington Racecourse flood wall worsened Maribyrnong disaster, report finds The controversial flood wall increased water levels by up to three centimetres for 240 homes during the 2022 inundation, but it won’t be torn down.

🌊 Structural Flood Defence: The Role of Floodwalls in Protecting Communities 🌍

When it comes to flood mitigation, structural measures serve as the first line of defence, providing immediate and robust protection for vulnerable areas. Among these, floodwalls are a widely used and proven solution, particularly effective in safeguarding communities and infrastructure along large rivers.

Floodwalls act as barriers, preventing floodwaters from reaching critical areas. Constructed primarily from durable materials like concrete, floodwalls are ideal for locations with limited space, offering long-lasting, low-maintenance protection. Popular types include T-wall and I-wall designs, shown in the figures below, which are designed for specific conditions and provide reliable flood defense solutions - modified from USACE (1989), Retaining and Flood Walls.

At Flood Resilience Hub, we recognize the importance of floodwalls as a key component of climate-adaptive infrastructure, helping to protect urban areas against rising water risks. Let’s continue exploring solutions to build safer, resilient communities!

🌊 Structural Flood Mitigation Measures: Proactive vs. Reactive Approaches 🌍

Research shows that many flood mitigation measures are implemented only after catastrophic flood events. While essential, these reactive strategies often fall short of preparing communities for future risks. Structural measures—like levees, floodwalls, and dikes—serve as the first line of defense, protecting infrastructure and supporting economic stability by preventing floodwaters from reaching vulnerable areas.

Experts stress the importance of proactive investment in flood defences before disasters strike. Studies highlight the cost-effectiveness of disaster risk reduction, yet policies often lag, with stakeholders slow to act until the damage is done. Strengthening regulations that promote flood-safe decisions, and blending structural with non-structural measures, is critical for a resilient future.

The graphic below illustrates various flood mitigation strategies and their roles in reducing flood hazards, exposure, and vulnerability.



(Image adapted from Montz et al. (2017), Natural Hazards: Explanation and Integration)

Designing for a Water-Resilient Future: Insights from Water Futures

As climate change intensifies flood risks worldwide, Water Futures reimagines how cities can adapt. Written by experts in architecture and water management, this book advocates for nature-based, adaptive solutions—like green infrastructure and restored wetlands—that absorb floodwaters, enhance resilience, and improve urban livability. Through global case studies, Water Futures highlights the need for community-focused, flexible designs that respond to changing climates.

At Flood Resilience Hub, these principles resonate with our Climate-Adaptive Floodwall Design (CAFD) research, aiming to protect cities like Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City. Let’s build a resilient future together!

Explore Water Futures to learn more about creating sustainable, flood-resilient cities: https://issuu.com/jamesdavidsonarchitect/docs/water_futures_book_-_digital_versio

The Water Futures Book The 2011 floods affected approximately 200,000 people across South East Queensland (SEQ); past flooding data and future climate change predictions suggest these severe weather events will only become more intense and frequent. The Water Futures book is the culmination of over 5 years of work by many...

🌍 No Country is Immune to Flood Hazards 🌊

Flooding is a growing threat worldwide, affecting every corner of the globe—from developed cities to rural areas, no country is immune. A 2022 study published in Nature Communications highlights the increasing risk of flood hazards across continents, driven by factors like climate change, urbanisation, and changing weather patterns. This underscores the importance of innovative, adaptive flood defense strategies.

Our research on Climate-Adaptive Floodwall Design (CAFD) aims to address these challenges by creating resilient solutions that can be applied globally, including in high-risk regions like Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City.

Interested in the details? Read the full article in Nature Communications for more on the widespread impacts and urgency of flood resilience efforts: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30727-4

Flood exposure and poverty in 188 countries - Nature Communications Floods are most devastating for those who can least afford to be hit. Globally, 1.8 billion people face high flood risks; 89% of them live in developing countries; 170 million of them live in extreme poverty making them most vulnerable.

Flooding Challenges in Ho Chi Minh City 🌧️🌊

Recently, Ho Chi Minh City faced severe flooding as high tides and heavy rain combined, leaving many streets submerged. The city's flood-prone areas, especially in districts like Thu Duc and Binh Thanh, have become more vulnerable due to climate change and inadequate infrastructure.

Read more about the recent flooding: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20240921/floodingprone-street-submerged-as-high-tides-rain-combine-in-ho-chi-minh-city/82059.html

Flooding-prone street submerged as high tides, rain combine in Ho Chi Minh City High tide during rush hour created significant travel difficulties for commuters

Welcome to Our Flood Resilience Research Hub! 🌍🌊

We’re excited to have you here! Our research explores innovative solutions for climate-resilient infrastructure, focusing on adaptable flood defenses like floodwalls. By gathering insights from industry professionals, researchers, and community stakeholders, we aim to advance strategies that protect and strengthen communities against future flood risks.

Stay tuned for updates, and join us in this mission by participating in our current survey to share your expertise and help shape the future of flood resilience!



Image Credit: Bilanol (Shutterstock: 1764130520)