Flood hazard and exposure mapping
About this course
The Open Learning Course on Flood Hazard and Exposure Mapping is designed to equip participants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to assess and map flood hazards and exposure using open-source tools such as openLISEM 0.2.5a and QGIS. The course covers fundamental concepts of flood hazards, hydrology, and flooding impacts, along with practical applications of GIS and remote sensing techniques for flood modeling, including the following topics:
- Introduction to Flood Hazards - Covers the basics of flood hazards, hydrology, and the influence of climate change on flooding.
- Tools and Techniques for Flood Hazard Mapping - Introduces GIS, remote sensing, flood modeling techniques, and risk assessment methods.
- Open-Source Flood Modeling Software - Provides hands-on training with openLISEM and QGIS, covering flood simulation, erosion modeling, slope stability, and data processing.
- Practical Applications and Case Studies - Applies the learned concepts to real-world flood scenarios in Mozambique, including urban, coastal, and riverine flooding.
Course Objectives
- Develop an understanding of basic concepts of flooding hazards and exposure
- Understanding different tools and techniques for flood hazard modelling and exposure mapping
- Develop practical skills using opensource openLISEM and GIS software for flood mapping
- Analyse and interpret flooding hazard maps for decision-making
- Applying techniques to real-world case studies and projects in Mozambique
Course structure
Module 1: Introduction to Flood Hazards This module provides a foundational understanding of flood hazards, their causes, and their impacts. It covers the basics of hydrology and how climate change influences flooding patterns.
- Definition, types, causes, and case studies of major flood events.
- Hydrological cycles, watershed characteristics, and key hydrological processes.
- Climate change effects on flooding, including sea level rise.
- Interactive Q and A on course topics, exercises, and software-related questions.
Module 2: Tools and Techniques for Flood Hazard Mapping This module introduces key tools for flood mapping, including GIS, remote sensing, and flood modeling techniques. It also covers socio-economic impacts and exposure assessment.
- Fundamentals of GIS and remote sensing for flood analysis.
- Data sources for flood modeling, including topographic and hydrological data.
- Introduction to hydrodynamic modeling (1D, 2D, 3D) and early warning systems.
- Mapping populations and infrastructure at risk using land use analysis.
- Socio-economic impact assessment of floods.
- Integrated hazard exposure analysis using GIS and decision-making tools.
- Q and A on course content, exercises, and software setup (QGIS and openLISEM).
Module 3: Open-Source Modelling Software: openLISEM and QGIS This module provides hands-on training in open-source flood modeling software, focusing on openLISEM and QGIS. It covers various aspects of flood simulation, erosion, slope stability, and data processing.
- Introduction to openLISEM, hydrological modeling, and surface flow analysis.
- Water cycle estimations and erosion modeling.
- Slope stability, landslide simulations, and LISEM Classic.
- Advanced topics, including coastal flooding, data processing, and GIS integration.
- Q and A on course topics, exercises, and software applications.
Module 4: Practical Applications and Case Studies This module applies the learned concepts to real-world flood events, with case studies focusing on urban, coastal, and riverine flooding in Mozambique.
- Urban flood hazard assessment and mitigation strategies.
- Coastal flood risk assessment and adaptation measures.
- Riverine flood modeling and floodplain management.
- Discussion and Q and A on case studies, exercises, and software tools.
Requirements
Basic knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, geosciences, programming or related fields. To perform excercises following open source software needed to be installed: