Flood risk consideration: A new paradigm? Urban examples in the middle valley of the Loire River (France)

Abstract

Flood plains experience a continuous stress between the prevention of natural risks and the need of space for new activities. Mankind is increasing its occupation of flood plains in spite of recurrent floods, following a certain aptitude to forget risk. This paper analyzes this conflicting situation, especially in the middle Loire Valley. The aim is to understand which factors have oriented the urban sprawl into the flood plains, through an analysis of the evolution of settlements by GIS, by the study of planning documents and by an historical analysis of flood protection orientations. The study shows that under the weight of a reinforced legal arsenal and some other pressures, the districts have begun to give up this unlimited and irrational urbanization. New strategies are appearing. They are split between the intent to give more space to the river and the intent to invent an urban planning design that is more compatible with flooding. This contribution theorizes that a new paradigm is emerging, combining geographical localization and mental representations of risk. © 2008 WIT Press.