Flood Disaster

Max Groos, Helena Chenavsky, Emma Schwarz
2024

The “Flood disaster” project explores the devastating floods that struck Germany’s Ahrweiler region in 2021, focusing on the factors that intensified the disaster and the challenges of long-term recovery. Through an analysis of the region’s geography, infrastructure, and policy decisions, the research highlights how steep terrain, outdated flood management practices, and urban development contributed to the scale of the destruction.

The student critically examines the response and reconstruction efforts, shedding light on ecological oversights and the missed opportunity to integrate sustainable and preventative measures into rebuilding plans. The concept of “flood dementia”—a tendency for communities to underestimate future flood risks—is also explored as a barrier to effective long-term resilience.

As part of the investigation, the student evaluates innovative solutions such as the AquaWand mobile flood barrier, which offers a flexible and rapid-response alternative to traditional flood defenses. The research ultimately advocates for a more proactive and ecologically informed approach to flood risk management, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and forward-thinking urban planning.