Flood Risk Management (FLOODRisk): Proposal for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Programme

ongoing

Integrated flood risk management aims to reduce the human and socio-economic losses caused by flooding while at the same time taking into consideration the benefits from floods and the use of flood plains or coastal zones. The need for the adoption of a holistic integrated approach to managing flood risks has been reflected in the Flood Directive of the European Parliament. Existing Masters programmes on floods offered within the EU cover many technical aspects but lack integration. The proposed EMJM on Flood risk management (FLOODRisk) follows the holistic approach and is explicitly designed to cover a wide range of topics – from drivers and natural processes, to models, decisions and socio-economic consequences and institutional environment, and is therefore an important advance in water education for Europe. FLOODRisk is offered by a consortium consisting of IHE Delft, Technical University of Dresden, UPC Barcelona and University of Ljubljana. The large number of Associated Partners bring their specific complementary expertise which will educate flood risk graduates with a broad vision of the processes occurring in river basins and in coastal zones at different spatial and temporal scales. The graduates will also be able to master the links between systems, processes and natural and socio-economic constraints for all the aspects of the water cycle. During the 2-year programme students will attend courses on hydro-meteorological processes and climate change and its impact; on modelling and computer-based tools for planning, forecasting and decision support; on hazards due to flash floods, debris flow and coastal flooding and spatial planning; and socio-economic and institutional framework of flood risk management. Finally, the students carry out their thesis work at one of the HEIs or with an industrial partner (in association with a HEI). Successful candidates receive multiple degrees from HEIs and a joint diploma supplement.