An Integrated Planning Framework for Managing Flood-endangered Regions in the Yangtze River Basin

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated sustainable development decision support system (ISDDSS) for the management of flood-endangered regions in China. The ISDDSS is based on comprehensive analyses of the previous flooding events in China, especially the one that occurred in the Yangtze River Basin in 1998. A large number of conditions including the hydrological features and the economic losses resulting from flooding disasters are addressed. Due to the frequent floods in the Yangtze River Basin, the management of flood-endangered regions in the middle stream area has become one of the most important water-related issues in China. This is mainly because of such factors as the regions' high population density, flat alluvial plain, far-flung farmlands, and strong economic potentials. The flood-endangered regions are greatly vulnerable to flooding in rainy season due to the flat terrain and their direct connections with surface rivers and lakes. Moreover, they were often chosen to retain floodwater in order to protect major cities in the Yangtze River Basin. The ISDDSS is proposed to prevent flooding disasters, to minimize flood damages, and to promote sustainable development in such regions