Remote Sensing Applications in Flood Risk Assessment and Management for Climate-Smart Urban Development (CSUD)
Type: Case Study
Author(s): Freskida ABAZAJ
Date: [Date of publication]
Target Audience: Students and Specialist of non-academic sector
Objectives of the article/post
- Understand the role of remote sensing in flood risk assessment and management in urban areas.
- Apply remote sensing data for flood hazard mapping and vulnerability analysis in cities.
- Understand the concept of climate-smart urban development and how remote sensing can support CSUD.
- Understand the relation between remote sensing imagery and surface water.
- Learn how to map flood extent using threshold values.
- Integrate remote sensing with GIS for flood monitoring, risk assessment, and decision-making.
Content Summary:
This module provides an understanding of how remote sensing technologies can be used to assess, monitor, and manage flood risks in urban areas. It emphasizes the integration of remote sensing data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other tools to support climate-smart urban development (CSUD). The course also explores how remote sensing contributes to flood resilience, disaster preparedness, and urban planning, considering the impact of climate change on flood risks. Satellite data (e.g., from RADAR or optical sensors) can be used to assess land elevation, surface water, and flood-prone areas.
Key Takeaways:
- Enhanced Flood Monitoring and Mapping: Remote sensing technologies, such as satellite imagery and aerial drones, provide high-resolution, real-time data that can be used to monitor flood-prone areas, identify flood patterns, and create accurate flood maps. This data is crucial for assessing flood risk in urban environments, allowing for better prediction and preparedness in the face of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
- Post-Flood Damage Assessment and Recovery: After flood events, remote sensing technologies can rapidly assess damage to infrastructure, homes, and natural resources. This helps governments and humanitarian organizations prioritize recovery efforts, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor the progress of rebuilding activities, all while ensuring that future flood risks are reduced in the redevelopment process.
- Dynamic Risk Mapping and Urban Zoning: Remote sensing allows for the continuous monitoring of urban landscapes, enabling dynamic updates to flood risk maps. As cities grow and environmental conditions change, these updated maps can be integrated into urban zoning regulations, ensuring that new development projects avoid flood-prone areas and incorporate nature-based solutions (e.g., wetlands, permeable surfaces) for flood mitigation.
Impact on the target audience
This module aims to empower students and specialist of non-academic sector with the skills to effectively use remote sensing technologies for flood risk assessment and management in urban settings, integrating these tools into climate-smart urban development strategies. At the end of the module, students will have a strong understanding of how to leverage satellite, drone, and other remote sensing data for flood resilience, mitigation, and sustainable urban planning.
Attachments:
1- F.Abazaj , G.Hasko : ‘Use of Sentinel-1 Data in Flood Mapping in the Buna River Area’, International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 10(10): 147-156, 2020; Article no. IJECC.61830 ISSN: 2581-8627, 23 October 2020,
2- F.Abazaj : ‘SENTINEL-2 Imagery for Mapping and Monitoring Flooding in Buna River Area’, Journal of International Environmental Application and Science, Year 2020, Volume 15 , Issue 2, Pages 48 – 53, ISSN 1307-0428 | e-ISSN 2636-7661, Turkey.
3- https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/Flood%20Risk%20Managment%20Shkod%C3%ABr%20Region.pdf
