A high-resolution framework for urban pluvial flood risk mapping

Abstract

This study presents a high-resolution framework for assessing climate-related risk at the building scale by implementing the IPCC risk concept, defining risk as a function of vulnerability, exposure and hazard. The framework focuses on pluvial flood risk related to people's well-being and mobility. Hazard is driven by a 100-year rainfall event (36 mm h−1), modelled with a hydrodynamic flood simulation incorporating topography, drainage capacity, and land use. Exposure is differentiated by impact type, considering residents on ground floors for well-being and building proximity to flooded streets for mobility and accessibility. Social vulnerability is quantified using socioeconomic indicators such as age, income, and education. The framework is demonstrated using empirical data from Hamburg, Germany, identifying risk hotspots where high social vulnerability coincides with elevated flood exposure. To support practical implementation, we introduce a Python-based ArcGIS pluvial flood risk toolbox that enables automated, building-level risk mapping. The transparent and flexible design makes the framework transferable to other cities, supporting climate adaptation planning and risk-informed decision-making.