Flood control in urban areas can be feasibly and cost-effectively enhanced by implementing
flood proofing approaches to risk reduction in the context of environmental and land-use
planning and management. Indeed flood proofing makes it possible to improve integrate and in
some cases even replace traditional measures for flood control reducing the vulnerability and
increasing the resilience of buildings and infrastructures. This book begins by reviewing the
physics of stability and instability of both human beings and buildings under flood conditions
together with criteria and models (both conventional and innovative) for assessing flood
strains. In turn it presents a range of flood proofing concepts and techniques together with
a complete and updated classification of related methods and devices. This provides a
user-friendly tool to help identify appropriate solutions to real-world problems for each
specific risk scenario. In particular the book focuses on temporary flood proofing techniques
given their ability to deliver effective performance at low costs. Lastly it features an
overview of norms guidelines and laboratory recommendations that are currently being adopted
in various countries with regard to flood proofing devices and testing procedures.The purpose
of this book is essentially to encourage authorities stakeholders technicians and end users
to successfully develop flood proofing solutions that can reduce flood risk in a pragmatic
manner. In addition the authors hope to inspire researchers manufacturers and designers
(engineers architects urban planners and urban managers) to pursue further advances in this
key sector of public and private safety in urban areas.
