Spatial Modeling of Tangible and Intangible Losses in Integrated Coastal Flood Risk Analysis

Abstract

This paper describes an integrated spatial modeling concept for flood losses which has been developed within the joint research project “XtremRisK”. For the final step of an integrated coastal flood risk analysis based on the “risk source-pathway-receptor” approach, the “Cellbased Risk Assessment” (CRA) concept is implemented for the spatial modeling of both tangible and intangible flood losses and their aggregation into the so-called “integrated risk”. Finally, all results are utilized for the hazard and risk mapping, which serve as a basis for the decision making on risk management strategies. The different steps of the CRA concept and its applicability for different types of spatial input data are shown in the paper. Furthermore, advantages and limitations of this spatial modeling concept for integrated flood risk analysis are discussed. The practical implementation of the approach is described for the study area Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg (Germany) and the related categories of flood losses. The results show that the newly developed CRA concept is a suitable spatial modeling framework with respect to the comprehensive requirements in this integrated coastal flood risk analysis.