4d Coastal Flood Analysis And Visualisation For Urban Areas

Without adaptation, 0.2 to 4.6% of the global population may be flooded annually in 2100 with scenarios of 0.25 till 1.23 m global mean sea level rise. Therefore, it is necessary that local governments engage and educate the local community in order to adapt to the impacts of sea level rise. To this point, we developed a comprehensive four-dimensional (4D, i.e. 3D and time) flood visualisation WebGIS (Web-based Geographic Information System), as it quickly conveys strong messages, condenses complex information, engages people in issues of environmental change, and motivates personal actions. This paper describes the developed landscape visualisation of a flood model simulation for the coastal town of Ostend (West Flanders, Belgium) and presents practical considerations for future studies. This research proposes an adaptation plan with a series of practical measures to be introduced by 2050, for example, inserting gates where needed, sluices to prevent ingress of water into drains, raising floor levels in vulnerable town centre properties, and installing breakwaters. This local-scale assessment is a step towards helping the community to understand coastal flood events and how they might change with sea level rise and storm surge events.