Flood risk

Public spaces have a key role in reducing the impacts of flooding.

The impacts of rising sea levels and intense downpours can be exacerbated or alleviated by the way we plan and design our cities.

Local authorities and partners must ensure that the urban environment is planned and managed to adapt to future climate scenarios. Public spaces can help with flooding by:

• reducing vulnerability to and impact of flooding
• enhancing flood water storage capacity
• reducing vulnerability to extreme weather such as storms
• increasing the ability to collect rain water
• improving water quality.

See our Sustainable Cities website and our list of publications about flood risk management for more information.

What people are saying

Learn how people with first-hand experience of flood management coped with real-life situations:

• Yorkshire under water
  Mary Bagley, director of parks and countryside in Sheffield, talks about bringing investment into local parks to create much wider benefits.
• Hampshire: water, water everywhere
  Stuart Jarvis, deputy director of the environment at Hampshire County Council, faced the highest rainfall in 200 years – and severe drought too.

What people are doing

These four projects demonstrate approaches to dealing with flooding, illustrating how interventions can also provide high quality public spaces benefiting biodiversity and people from all walks of life:

• Cleveleys New Wave, Lancashire
  The Lancashire seaside town of Cleveleys was at risk of flooding until a new and robust sea defence was built.
• Floodplain forest, Milton Keynes
  A unique project is under way just outside Milton Keynes to recreate a floodplain forest and tackle flood risk.
• Quaggy River, Lewisham, London
  An innovative scheme for south London’s River Quaggy created floodwater storage areas parks and gardens.
• River Irwell flood control scheme, Salford
  Salford has responded to flooding from the River Irwell by designing a new flood prevention scheme.

Useful organisations

Environment Agency
Advises local authorities on assessing flood risk and on developing flood strategies. Call 08708 506 506 to find your local team.

CIRIA
Provides research and information to the construction industry.

LANDFORM
A local authority network on flood risk management and sustainable drainage.