Urbani izziv Volume 18, No. 1–2, December 2007
: 101–105
(Thematic articles)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2007-18-01-02-011
Author
Irena STRUPEH PAPEŽ
Kaliopa, d. o. o., Ljubljana, Slovenia
irena.strupeh.papez@kaliopa.si
Tomo GLOBOČNIK
Domplan, d. d., Kranj, Slovenia
tomo.globocnik@domplan.si
Title
How much water needs to flow before serious flood control measures are taken?
Abstract
High waters barely returned to their riverbeds, and unaffected public already forgot what recently occurred. Media already found new topics for writing dramatic stories, which attracts readers, while the largest consequences of the natural catastrophe are removed. Life (for majority of inhabitants) settles back to their usual routine. Floods are natural phenomenon and are the most frequent type of disaster worldwide. They are a relatively predictable risk bur quite difficult to prevent. However, we can reduce the risks of endangering human lives, environment, infrastructure and our property. Unfortunately, it is obvious that we are poorly prepared to deal with aftermaths of natural disasters, or even more important, we do to little in order to prevent them. We should be aware that human activity largely contributes to more frequent occurrence of floods and their harmful consequences. With thoughtless spreading of settlement, with intemperate economic development and above all the human mentality, that it is possible to control nature. But the damage done, to the natural environment is getting bigger and bigger. The question is, how much more abuse can nature take before it strikes back?
Key Words
floods, preventive measures, interdisciplinary approach to flood control