Room4water:

Transition capacity to manage extreme weather events by making room for the water – from mind to map

The Room4water project explores the capacity to implement long-term, proactive and flexible climate change adaptation to cope with increasingly extreme floods along watercourses – with the Nissan River in SW Sweden in focus as a case study.

Intensifying impacts of extreme weather events make adaptation to a changing climate increasingly necessary. Flooding of water bodies is temporary and varies in extent and duration. This means that there needs to be flexibility and adaptability in how land can be used to accommodate the water when it comes.

Riverine flooding has traditionally been managed with engineered solutions such as temporary or permanent embankments and pumping devices. Now, a broader suite of options including nature-based solutions are increasingly advocated as they can address multiple risks simultaneously and provide benefits such as increased biodiversity and recreation. Upstream solutions that accommodate the water can also mitigate downstream impacts. This can also include removing or relocating hard structures that are in the way or are at risk of damage.

A challenge in managing large water bodies in general and climate adaptation specifically is that water bodies and the impacts of flooding span multiple administrative boundaries, sectors and actors, with sometimes conflicting interests and values.

Aim

Room4water aims to explore the possibilities for long-term, proactive and flexible climate adaptation to flooding along watercourses. The project will study what capacity exists to implement a climate adaptation approach that enables nature-based and retreat strategies to make room for the water.

Approach

The project is implemented with the Nissan River Valley, its network of communities and infrastructure, and the stakeholders involved, as a case study by addressing resilience from three key aspects:

1. Governance transition capacity
2. Community transition capacity
3. Land use transition capacity

These three will result in a fourth aspect focusing on the capacity for change from a watershed perspective with its nature, people, and politics.

The project is interdisciplinary, weaving together spatial planning, risk management, climate adaptation and nature conservation with citizen participation and the creation of stories to resonate with the public and politicians.

Expected outcomes

Room4water will result in practical recommendations for integrating adaptive and flexible land use that allows space for water into climate adaptation plans, considering human and ecological needs, as well as built environment and transport connections.