Urban Environment - Special Issue / CfP

Urban Environment - Special Issue
Call for Papers - Flooding in urban and suburban areas

Cities have for all time been stricken by flooding and the risks associated to these incidents are perennial concerns for flood-prone municipalities. Environmental and geographical studies, civil engineering, urban and land-use planning have developed a body of empirical and technical knowledge on the phenomenon, and have offered a profusion of solutions to flood management. Other studies from the fields of climatology and hydrology have focussed on climate change and flooding rates of recurrence. The field of environmental history has focussed on clarifying social processes, particularly decision-making, by directing attention to the strategies various social actors use and to the interactions that unite them. The strategies lie at the heart of the flooding issues facing society. Considered to be an act of God or a sanitary risk, flooding has been the focus of efforts carried out to regulate waterways and improve riparian zones. In many cases, these actions have created artificial riparian conditions, which have caused floods in some instances to increase in intensity and magnitude. Possible topics related to the proposed theme for papers published in this special issue could address:
• the risks of flooding and preventive measures for urban environments,
• risk management and urban planning practice,
• reducing impacts in urban areas and providing urban infrastructure that is better adapted,
• the historical account of flooding or of devastating floods that have hit urban areas,
• reforestation and replanting efforts along urban river banks that can lessen flood impacts,
• the role played by social actors and public decision-makers in assuming control of flood management and risk areas

We invite all those interested to submit an abstract by 30 June to the journal editor (environnement.urbain@ucs.inrs.ca). Papers must be received by 31 October 2007. Guidelines for contributors available at http://www.vrm.ca/cyber_direct.asp.

If you wish further information, please contact the guest editor at diane.saintlaurent@uqtr.ca