Improving the regulatory framework of floodplain development and management in the United Kingdom

Alam, B

Abstract

The Flood Risk Management Framework is a means through which flood risk management is achieved with the aim of mitigating the impact of flooding on communities. Within the United Kingdom, this is achieved through a mixture of legislation, directives, regulations and guidance notes. Flooding is set to increase in the future due to factors such as climate change. The damage caused by such natural disasters accounts for an estimated £1.1 billion of annual expenditure in the UK. In response, tools such as insurance, adaptations and funding are used to manage the level of risk. The Environment Agency has a strategy for properties to become resilient by 2050 and works with risk management authorities to achieve this goal. Floodplains are particularly vulnerable to flooding hazards, exposing developments there to risk. This research aims to address this risk by providing recommendations on the regulatory framework of floodplain development in the UK, with the goal of improving resilience measures through the use of regulations and guidelines as part of flood response.

A pragmatic research philosophy has been adopted, with legal research being part of an extensive literature review. This explorative research follows a mixed methodology, utilising a case study and survey-based strategy. This involved the gathering of 101 questionnaire responses from two communities situated on floodplains in the UK, alongside six semi-structured interviews for expert opinion. The research identifies a number of factors, including insurance, a lack of clarity at certain levels regarding flood risk, insufficient resilience measures and funding, which impair the effectiveness of the flood risk management framework. In addition, there is a reactive response towards flood risk that occurs post-disaster, further affecting the development of resilience. These challenges, alongside the growing risk of flooding, aggravate the risk to floodplain developments unless resilience is factored as part of the wider risk management framework. This research therefore recommends that the framework place a greater emphasis on resilience as the ultimate objective, promoting a more holistic view of flood risk management.

Citation

Alam, B. Improving the regulatory framework of floodplain development and management in the United Kingdom. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 7, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 7, 2020
• Award Date: Sep 6, 2020