Research: Smart flood protection

Research summary

The threat to life and property from flooding is become a pressing concern for hundreds of communities.

Ongoing research has identified the benefit that small-scale flood protection measures may have.

Technologies such as window and door guards, pumps and non-return valves could offer greater protection to homes and businesses exposed to several types of flooding. But they must be correctly fitted and used.

Researchers worked with manufacturers, local and central government, insurers, and previously flooded communities to develop guides for property owners and local authorities.

Six Steps to Flood Resilience: Guidance for property owners includes advice on surveying buildings as well as identifying the best protective measures and how to maintain them.

A more detailed guide provides flood risk advice for local authorities and others responsible for civil protection.

The guidance has been endorsed by the National Flood Forum, the Association of British Insurers, Defra, the Environment Agency, the Flood Protection Association, and the Local Government Association.

Research outputs

Academic papers

• Connelly, A, O’Hare, P and White, I (2020) “The best flood I ever had”: Contingent resilience and the (relative) success of adaptive technologies Cities 106, pp.102842-102842.

• O’Hare, P and White, I (2018) Beyond ‘just’ flood risk management: the potential for—and limits to—alleviating flood disadvantage. Regional Environmental Change 18(2), pp.385-396.