An overview of flood-induced transport disruptions on urban streets and roads in Chinese megacities: Lessons and future agendas

Xiaohui Lu; Faith Ka Shun Chan; Wei-Qiang Chen; Hing Kai Chan; Xinbing Gu

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115991

An overview of flood-induced transport disruptions on urban streets and roads in Chinese megacities: Lessons and future agendas

J Environ Manage. 2022 Nov 1:321:115991. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115991. Epub 2022 Aug 19.

Authors

Xiaohui Lu¹, Faith Ka Shun Chan², Wei-Qiang Chen³, Hing Kai Chan⁴, Xinbing Gu⁵

Affiliations

¹ Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; Nottingham University Business School China, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China.
² School of Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China; Water@Leeds and School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. Electronic address: faith.chan@nottingham.edu.cn.
³ Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China. Electronic address: wqchen@iue.ac.cn.
⁴ Nottingham University Business School China, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China; Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, 315048, China. Electronic address: Hingkai.Chan@nottingham.edu.cn.
⁵ Nottingham University Business School China, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China.

PMID: 35994961
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115991

Abstract

Urban road transport disruptions caused by urban floods have become severe in the Chinese megacities due to climate change and urbanisation. Urban road planning, design, and land drainage systems are insufficiently coping with intense rainstorms, especially in the wet season. This is reflected in more research findings on urban flood impacts and road transport disruption over the past decade. Here we provide a critical overview of current research on urban road inundation, road traffic delays, and accessibility losses under flood conditions, and illustrate up-to-date practices with the relevant governmental institutions. Our review implies that urban flood management in road design is still at an embryonic stage in the Chinese megacities. Hence, we review the lessons and experiences of urban flood impacts on roads in the global context. We argue that it is essential to enhance better co-production practices on emergency responses and recovery measures between authorities, which is vital to improving flood resilience in uncertain climates.

Keywords: Chinese megacities; Climate change; Road transport disruption; Urban flood; Waterlogging.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

China
Cities
City Planning
Floods*
Urbanization*