Integrating Resilient Water Infrastructure and Environmental Impact Assessment in Borderland River Basins

Abstract

Climate-induced hydrological risks and deteriorating infrastructure present major challenges for small river basins in border regions, particularly in non-EU countries with limited institutional capacity and funding. These issues are especially acute in post-socialist contexts, where outdated hydrotechnical systems no longer meet current environmental and safety standards. This study investigates the vulnerabilities of the Uzh River basin in Uzhhorod, Ukraine—a non-EU border city with strong ecological and institutional ties to neighboring EU regions—and proposes an adaptive river management model tailored to such environments. An integrated assessment of flood protection systems, sediment transport, drainage performance, and governance gaps was conducted to inform the proposed framework, which combines structural and ecosystem-based interventions with a focus on transboundary water governance. Unlike many existing approaches that lack mechanisms for localized implementation and cross-border coordination, this model offers a transferable, evidence-based methodology for enhancing flood resilience and hydrological sustainability in similar urban areas. The insights are relevant to border cities across Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus, contributing to both engineering practice and regional policy by aligning hydrotechnical solutions with cooperative climate adaptation strategies.