The key question at this stage, when talking about design and resilience, is what
return period should be adopted.
In dam hydrology, given the examples of Malpasset and Vajont, among others,
the concept of maximum possible flood (MPF return period of 10,000–50,000 years,
according to authors) has been introduced, for exactly the same reasons – safety to
life and resilience properties.
Arguably, there are few records with over 100 years of data, and probably, in
most cases, even less. It is therefore not easy to make forecasts (or wild guesses)
about 10,000 years recurrence intervals. However, if a bridge structure or drainage
channel is required now, no one will be willing to wait until another 50 years of data
is collected.
10.3 Preparing Infrastructure for Climate Change
10.3.1 Introduction
In the face of climate change, it is important either to implement an infrastructure
network or/and to reinforce the existing network to be resilient towards the present
natural hazards and to prepare for the future possible climate. There are many actors
in this process including:
• Government Role
• Private Sector Led Adaptation
• Investors
• Infrastructure Owners and Operators
• Economic Regulators
• Insurers and Re-insurers
• Engineering sector
• Research Community
10.3.2 Government Role
Government has a significant role in promoting the adaptation of national infrastructure against climatic risks, namely to:
(1) prepare a coherent policy statement for each infrastructure sector within the
national framework for adaptation.
(2) lead by example, À by integrating adaptation requisites – on investment and/or
or procurement of new infrastructure projects so that the market becomes
stimulated to develop innovative adaptation responses which are cost effective,
as well.
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10 Climate Change and Infrastructure
return period should be adopted.
In dam hydrology, given the examples of Malpasset and Vajont, among others,
the concept of maximum possible flood (MPF return period of 10,000–50,000 years,
according to authors) has been introduced, for exactly the same reasons – safety to
life and resilience properties.
Arguably, there are few records with over 100 years of data, and probably, in
most cases, even less. It is therefore not easy to make forecasts (or wild guesses)
about 10,000 years recurrence intervals. However, if a bridge structure or drainage
channel is required now, no one will be willing to wait until another 50 years of data
is collected.
10.3 Preparing Infrastructure for Climate Change
10.3.1 Introduction
In the face of climate change, it is important either to implement an infrastructure
network or/and to reinforce the existing network to be resilient towards the present
natural hazards and to prepare for the future possible climate. There are many actors
in this process including:
• Government Role
• Private Sector Led Adaptation
• Investors
• Infrastructure Owners and Operators
• Economic Regulators
• Insurers and Re-insurers
• Engineering sector
• Research Community
10.3.2 Government Role
Government has a significant role in promoting the adaptation of national infrastructure against climatic risks, namely to:
(1) prepare a coherent policy statement for each infrastructure sector within the
national framework for adaptation.
(2) lead by example, À by integrating adaptation requisites – on investment and/or
or procurement of new infrastructure projects so that the market becomes
stimulated to develop innovative adaptation responses which are cost effective,
as well.
290
10 Climate Change and Infrastructure