Flood damage assessment in urban areas: application to the Raval district of Barcelona using synthetic depth damage curves

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed flood damage assessment in the Raval district of Barcelona. The implementation of a new 1D-2D coupled model is used to obtain flood depths, and new stage damage curves are developed to estimate the direct tangible damages. The curves have been validated using data from surveys and actual reported damages to the Spanish re-assurance. Finally, combining hazard and vulnerability levels by using a GIS-based toolbox, the expected annual damage of the area is obtained. This enables the determination of the critical points of the district in terms of flooding impacts, and highlights the need to implement strategies to cope with these impacts.