Description and objectives

Pluvial flooding in urban areas represents a significant challenge for both developed and developing nations.
Among the physical factors causing such flooding, particular attention must be paid to the spatio-temporal distribution of rainfall events, using more sophisticated measurement techniques (such as weather radar) that overcome the limitations of the sparse distribution of traditional rain gauges.

A comprehensive assessment of the impacts of urban pluvial floods requires a holistic understanding of the physical, engineering, social, urban, and economic aspects encompassed by the concept of pluvial flood risk.

This assessment can be summarized through rapid indicators that aggregate different types of information and support decision-makers in designing and implementing mitigation solutions to enhance the resilience of urban environments to flood events.
At the neighborhood scale, a detailed evaluation of pluvial flood risk is achieved through appropriate hydrological and hydrodynamic numerical models.

Given these premises, the PARADIGM project aims to address the general objectives of Spoke 5 – TS1 “Urban and Metropolitan Settlements”, pursuing the following specific goals:

1. A deeper understanding of the interaction between factors contributing to pluvial flood risk in urban areas;
2. Improved capacity to apply available knowledge to the planning and design of mitigation measures that can enhance urban resilience to extreme rainfall events;
3. Provision of strategies for the implementation of mitigation solutions;
4. Technical support to professionals and stakeholders through the dissemination of best practices and effective policies to prevent and mitigate pluvial flood risk in urban areas;
5. Promotion of public awareness and preparedness regarding pluvial flood risk.