Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-4481-7357
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
8-31-2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science - (Ph.D.)
Department
Chemistry and Environmental Science
First Advisor
Zeyuan Qiu
Second Advisor
Omowunmi A. Sadik
Third Advisor
Hao Chen
Fourth Advisor
Michel Boufadel
Fifth Advisor
Daniel J. Van Abs
Abstract
Rapid urban expansion and dramatic climate change have significantly increased the intensity and frequency of floods worldwide. With rising flood risks, conventional flood defense strategies that rely on structural measures become ineffective. The present designations for flood-prone areas, such as FEMA's flood maps, are becoming unreliable. Flood risk management is shifting toward enhancing community flood resilience, highlighting the importance of non-structural approaches. Landscape resilience has become a foundation of community flood resilience. However, past urban development typically undermined natural hydro-ecological functions and landscape resilience because of poor recognition of landscapes' ecological role, hydrological sensitivity, and hydrological connections. This study aims to enhance flood resilience by incorporating landscape hydrology concepts in flood management strategies. The study has two main objectives: first, to empirically examine the impacts of incongruent landscape alterations on flood losses and property values; second, to develop a proactive flood management strategy that integrates hydrological sensitivity.
The study first reviewed 31 hedonic pricing studies about floodplain's impacts on property values in the United States. Subsequently, the effects of Hydrologically Sensitive Areas (HSAs) on property values were analyzed in Hillsborough and Montgomery, New Jersey, by hedonic pricing models. Moreover, the study employed multiple linear regression models to analyze the impacts of impervious surface and development restriction areas on flood losses in the Raritan region from 2010 to 2020. This study also discussed the significance of HSAs for landscape resilience and provided suggestions on landscape planning, design, management, and flood insurance reformation.
The literature review of hedonic pricing studies revealed diverse patterns of floodplain impacts on property prices across the United States, with inland and 100-year floodplains having more adverse effects than coastal and 500-year floodplains. The study found that the impact of floodplains on property values was a compound effect of flood risk, insurance premiums, and local amenities. Hedonic pricing analysis in Hillsborough and Montgomery confirmed that properties in HSAs experience significant price discounts (-2%). The impact of HSAs on property values was independent of the impact of floodplains. The regression analysis in the Raritan River Basin region showed that increased impervious surfaces in landscapes lead to higher flood insurance claims, while effective land development restrictions reduce these claims.
These findings highlight the need for comprehensive flood risk assessments and better land use planning to enhance flood resilience. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and communities aiming to mitigate flood risks and build resilient landscapes.
Recommended Citation
Feng, Wenlong, "Enhancing community flood resilience by incorporating landscape hydrological sensitivity and connectivity" (2024). Dissertations. 1772.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/1772
Included in
Environmental Sciences Commons, Geography Commons, Hydrology Commons
