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Evaluating the Sustainability of Longtime Operating Infrastructure for Romanian Flood Risk Protection

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  • Ioana Popescu

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
    Department of Hydrotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politechnica University Timisoara, 300500 Timisoara, Romania
    Department of Hydroinformatics and Socio-Technical Innovation, IHE Delft, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Camelia Teau

    (Department of Hydrotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politechnica University Timisoara, 300500 Timisoara, Romania
    Mures Water Administration, Romanian Waters, 540057 Târgu Mureș, Romania)

  • Cristian Moisescu-Ciocan

    (Department of Hydrotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politechnica University Timisoara, 300500 Timisoara, Romania
    Banat Water Administration, Romanian Waters, 300222 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Constantin Florescu

    (Department of Hydrotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politechnica University Timisoara, 300500 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Relu Adam

    (Department of Hydrotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politechnica University Timisoara, 300500 Timisoara, Romania
    Siret Water Administration, Romanian Waters, 600274 Bacău, Romania)

  • Albert Titus Constantin

    (Department of Hydrotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politechnica University Timisoara, 300500 Timisoara, Romania)

Abstract

Flood protection infrastructures are crucial for enhancing the resilience of societies exposed to natural hazards. Newly designed infrastructures are evaluated for sustainability using a coherent and internationally recognized method defined by the International Hydropower Association (IHA). However, in operation, old structures require a different assessment approach. Different work proposes a modified IHA protocol, mHSAP, which identifies opportunities for improvement and develops a sustainability evaluation framework for existing infrastructures. This paper applies the modified protocol to evaluate the sustainability of two types of flood protection structures: a unique canal system for flood–drought protection of an urban area and a flood protection dike. The time of operation of these structures is over 250 years and over 50 years, respectively. The application of the modified framework demonstrates its advantages in identifying areas for improving flood protection structure operation while maintaining the structure’s sustainability. It also illustrates how Romanian water boards can use such tools to facilitate collaboration between structure owners and stakeholders, allowing them to assess the risks and effects of flooding on society. Through these two examples from Romania, we also show that the mHSAP framework has the potential to actively support the fulfillment of the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results presented here show that this method can be further utilized by water board authorities to account for climate change effects, address related challenges in a coordinated and efficient manner, develop resilient flood management strategies, inform infrastructure investment decisions, and enhance collaboration among water management authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioana Popescu & Camelia Teau & Cristian Moisescu-Ciocan & Constantin Florescu & Relu Adam & Albert Titus Constantin, 2024. "Evaluating the Sustainability of Longtime Operating Infrastructure for Romanian Flood Risk Protection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10573-:d:1535261
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fatica, Serena & Katay, Gabor & Rancan, Michela, 2022. "Floods and firms: vulnerabilities and resilience to natural disasters in Europe," JRC Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2022-13, Joint Research Centre, European Commission.
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    3. Elżbieta Macioszek & Anna Granà & Paulo Fernandes & Margarida C. Coelho, 2022. "New Perspectives and Challenges in Traffic and Transportation Engineering Supporting Energy Saving in Smart Cities—A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Global Problem," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-8, June.
    4. Berry Gersonius & Richard Ashley & Assela Pathirana & Chris Zevenbergen, 2013. "Climate change uncertainty: building flexibility into water and flood risk infrastructure," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 411-423, January.
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