Building flood resistance in Indonesia: new approaches being implemented
By The World Bank
People and vehicles stranded in floodwaters, inundated business premises, interrupted connectivity, and access to other services cut off. Does this need to be the new normal in the era of climate change in Indonesia’s growing cities? We don’t think so. New approaches can be employed to address flood risks through risk-informed urban design and innovative measures.
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Cities are particularly vulnerable to floods due to their high concentration of people and assets, as well as proximity to rivers and coasts. Heavy rains during the monsoon season, rising sea levels, accelerated levels of unregulated urban development, land-use changes and deforestation, and land subsidence, all contribute to increasing urban flood risk. Between 2006 and 2017 the number of reported flood events in 92 Indonesian cities tripled; from 50 to 146.
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Facilitated by the World Bank East Asia Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) team and Tokyo DRM Hub, a “design charrette” allowed participants to explore ways to incorporate nature-based and green solutions to reduce stormwater runoff.
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These included storm water harvesting solutions, constructed wetlands, green roofs, increasing the amount of permeable and infiltration surfaces, and incorporating recreational features (such as tiered seating and water “play” areas). Such solutions are already being implemented in cities such as Semarang, Medan and Pontianak.
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