Assessing the potential of implementing room for the river in Taiwan to enhance flood resilience

In this article, authors  used a mixed-methods approach to assess the potential for implementing the RftR approach in the Tsengwen River Basin in Taiwan. A 2D flood simulation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of dyke relocation intervention. In addition, we interviewed actors in Taiwan's water governance regime using a structured water governance framework. In Taiwan, flood risk management highly relies on control/defence infrastructure to constrain floods within levees.

To conclude, the authors hold that it is beneficial to attempt to transfer the Dutch river management policy into the Taiwanese context by shifting the single-purpose, purpose-oriented FRM on defence/control floods to a holistic one. Furthermore, the paradigm shift is a continuing process; the FRM approach must continue to evolve as we gain deeper knowledge from experience and face the threat of climate change.