Alina Schoenberg, Florian Bartholomae (p)

More than 55 percent of the world population and 74 percent of the European population is living in urban areas (UN 2018). The ongoing trend towards worldwide urbanization has led to prosperity in many regions. According to the European Commission (2016), urban areas across Europe account for 85 percent of the European GDP. Cities are drivers for economic growth and innovation that control knowledge, capital, and communication on a global level (Sassen 2001; Gereffi 2005). However, socioeconomic (employment, technological progress, poverty, social exclusion), demographic (population loss, aging) and physical (infrastructure, housing) factors as well as their interaction are determining the profile of European cities, allowing to describe urban differences in development as a ‘spatial manifestation of globalization’ (Martinez-Fernandez et al. 2012). In addition, the different historical and political background has led to different challenges that European cities face and to different (institutional, financial, economic, social) resources available to appropriately enhance urban growth and resilience. More than 55 percent of the world population and 74 percent of the European population is living in urban areas (UN 2018). The ongoing trend towards worldwide urbanization has led to prosperity in many regions. According to the European Commission (2016), urban areas across Europe account for 85 percent of the European GDP. Cities are drivers for economic growth and innovation that control knowledge, capital, and communication on a global level (Sassen 2001; Gereffi 2005). However, socioeconomic (employment, technological progress, poverty, social exclusion), demographic (population loss, aging) and physical (infrastructure, housing) factors as well as their interaction are determining the profile of European cities, allowing to describe urban differences in development as a ‘spatial manifestation of globalization’ (Martinez-Fernandez et al. 2012). In addition, the different historical and political background has led to different challenges that European cities face and to different (institutional, financial, economic, social) resources available to appropriately enhance urban growth and resilience.

Markus Groth (p), Steffen Bender , Thea Wuebbelmann

Climate change and urbanization are closely interconnected. Thereby decision makers in cities are both key actors to meet the goal of curbing global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels and to adapt to climate change impacts. Heavy precipitation as well as related river and urban floods have already affected cities and municipalities all over the world, leading to a high pressure on local administrations to react.
Additionally, recent studies show that, with increasing global mean temperature, also the number and intensity of extreme events such as heavy rain is expected to rise regionally. To reduce vulnerability and to protect property one of the most important aspects for city administrations (and its inhabitants) is the knowledge of the system weaknesses and its most vulnerable parts to adapt to the consequences.
In order to address the corresponding practical needs for local information, the specific run-off behavior of heavy precipitation was investigated together with the city of Bleckede – located in the Elbe Valley Floodplain („Elbtalaue“) – which belongs to the Hamburg Metropolitan Area in Northern Germany. Within the case-study, the GIS tool WOLK – developed and applied by the Tauw Group – was used to simulate and visualize the consequences of a heavy rain event. In addition, a written survey of 600 households was conducted.
In particular, it is shown that the simulation results presented in maps are an important tool to identify areas potentially affected or endangered by heavy rain events and to trace flow paths in the urban area. In addition, the model results highlight precisely relevant hot spots, which are in line with the results of the survey and previous experiences during past heavy rain events.
Another important aspect shown by the simulation is the significant relevance of a proper maintenance of central urban drainage elements in order to avoid unexpected water accumulations. The results can further be used in planning processes for a climate-resilient urban drainage concept or for the development of new residential areas.
Furthermore, aiming to sensitize citizens, especially house owners, an information flyer has been developed to answer the most important questions related to urban flooding and related individual protection measures.
Within the presentation, the methodological approach as well as the main results and lessons learned from this user-orientated and transdisciplinary project will be presented and discussed.

Anabela Santos (p), Dimitrios Pontikakis

The European Green Deal is one of the six priorities of EU for 2019-2024. It was developed with the aim to achieve a climate neutral Europe, with no net emissions of greenhouse gases, in 2050. It includes several measures for a green and inclusive transition, with special attention on regions, industries and workers faced with the greatest challenges. Mobilising industry in turn of a green and circular economy is vital to achieving the climate-neutral target. Priority must be given to more efficient use of the resource. The ‘doing more with less’ principle should be apply to achieve growth through higher value-added on industries. A more smart and rationale use of natural resources is one the key element of new European growth strategy for the next programming period.

With the present study, we purpose to develop a econometric model to assess the effect of the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) on regional structural change, measured by the ratio between employment in the sectors with the highest value-added and those with the lowest. Taking advantage of a unique database, covering the period 2014-2018, with the amount of ESIF allocated to EU regions to each investment priorities (e.g. innovation, ICT, climate, and training) and combined with EUROSTAT data, we expect also to assess complementarities between different funding objectives. This kind of analysis could be particularly useful for policy-makers in order to understand under which circumstances public funds can better support the transitions in more lagging regions.

Hiroyuki Shibusawa (p), Yui Yonemitsu

In this paper, we explore how municipalities’ production activities in river basins recover after such activities and logistics functions have stop and how the municipality economies restore after heavy rains and floods brought on by typhoons. For the Toyogawa and Yahagigawa basins in Aichi Prefecture, we estimate an inter-regional input–output table. Furthermore, we develope a sequential dynamic model with two types of bottleneck structures: a production technology and traffic disruptions. Given the flood damage scenario, applying the hypothetical extraction method, the direct and indirect damages, and the recovery process in municipalities of Aichi prefecture are shown by numerical simulation.