Ken C.

Buenaventura
BSCE 4-3

ACTIVITY NO. 1 - CASE STUDY

1. The exact location of the study is in the Tokai Region in Japan, which comprises the
fifth largest city in the country - Nagoya City.
2. The study's author is the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Japan.
3. Japan's flood management practice consists mainly of structural and non-structural
measures. Structural, embankments, river excavations, dams, and retarding basins and
diversion channels are the most commonly used methods to manage flood risks. On
the other hand, non-structural measures are implemented since in urban areas,
challenges like high land prices and the need to relocate buildings made structural
measures harder to implement quickly. Non-structural measures include reducing run-
off and disaster prevention plans.
4. The paper focuses on the important aspects of managing flood. The issues that I have
encountered throughout the study includes flood forecasting and warning, creating
hazard maps, emergency preparedness, financing, environmental considerations and
climate change awareness.
5. The Philippines is a third-world country in a tropical area where typhoons and other
disasters often occur. During the rainy season, flood is inevitable in the country since
aside from heavy rainfalls due to natural disasters, improper urban planning also adds
to the challenges faced by the communities. Similar to the case of the Tokai region in
Japan, flood management is important to reduce hazards and increase safety in times
of calamities. For instance, forecasting and warnings must be accurate and advanced
for early alerting the residents, keeping them prepared and ready to evacuate when
needed. Moreover, creating concise hazard maps is essential for identifying areas at
risk of flooding and helping with evacuation plans. Additionally, it is important to
take precautionary actions in urbanized areas where more residents are prone to risks,
structural measures must be planned efficiently and effectively as early as possible.
However, just like in Japan, funding projects like these can cost a lot, especially in a
third-world country like the Philippines. Lastly, the growing threat of climate change
means that we need to adapt our strategies to cope with the frequency and intensity of
flooding in various areas not just in low-urbanized areas but to every location where
proper drainage or run-offs must be correctly managed.
6. Rapid urban growth in flood-prone areas makes managing floods more difficult. As
more people move to these regions, there’s a greater risk of property damage. This
issue is especially relevant for the Philippines, which has a rising population and
limited land. Relying only on structures like dams and levees isn't enough to control
floods effectively. Building these structures can be challenging due to high land costs
and the need to relocate people. This situation emphasizes the need for non-structural
solutions, such as early warning systems and better land-use planning. The
Philippines likely faces similar challenges, making it important to explore these
 alternatives. The need for non-structural flood management strategies is growing.
Measures like improving water absorption in the ground and disaster preparedness
plans are crucial, especially in crowded areas. However, their success relies on
community involvement, public awareness, and sharing information. Given the
Philippines' exposure to typhoons and floods, effective non-structural measures are
essential. Good flood management also requires strong data collection and
information sharing. Japan's extensive network of rain gauges and water level stations
provides timely flood information. Such systems are vital for early warnings and
evacuation. The Philippines could benefit from developing similar systems that
include local knowledge. Clear laws and responsibilities are important for managing
floods effectively. Japan has established legal frameworks and defined roles for
different government agencies, which helps manage flood risks. The Philippines
would also need clear guidelines and responsibilities to ensure coordinated flood
management.
7. To address the issues faced by the Philippines in flood management, some of the
feasible alternatives and solutions shall be funded accordingly to ensure the quality of
the projects. Firstly, in terms of more advanced forecasting systems, our PAGASA
may invest in monitoring technologies and early warning systems to provide timely
and accurate flood news forecasts. This includes improving communication channels
to ensure alerts reach affected communities. Second is conducting training for youths
and residents to educate them on the proper emergency procedures and evacuation
routes in their respective areas. Update detailed hazard maps that identify flood-prone
areas, ensuring they are accessible to the public. Informative trainings such as
seminars will keep them aware and ready in times of calamity. Third is improve
drainage systems, build retention basins, and reinforce riverbanks to manage
stormwater more effectively. Sustainable urban planning should include green spaces
and permeable surfaces to reduce runoff. And lastly, improving our environmental
conditions can be a great way to prepare ourselves in the emerging climate change.
Keeping the forest green and restoring mangroves and wetlands to serve as natural
buffers against floods. Developing long-term actions/projects like these for the
country would benefit both communities and our nature.