The interplay between the urban development of Rome (Italy) and the Tiber River floods: A review of two millennia of socio-hydrological history
2024

The Relationship Between Rome and Tiber River Floods

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Elena Ridolfi, Mara Lucantonio, Giuliano Di Baldassarre, Benedetta Moccia, Francesco Napolitano, Fabio Russo

Primary Institution: University of Rome La Sapienza

Hypothesis

How has the urban development of Rome interacted with the flood dynamics of the Tiber River over two millennia?

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for effective flood risk mitigation strategies that combine structural and non-structural measures.

Supporting Evidence

  • Rome's urban development has been closely linked to the Tiber River's flood history for over 2500 years.
  • Flood walls constructed in the 1900s have changed the dynamics of flood risk in Rome.
  • Despite low current probabilities of flooding, the potential consequences remain catastrophic.
  • Effective flood risk management requires a combination of structural and non-structural measures.

Takeaway

This study looks at how the city of Rome has changed over time due to floods from the Tiber River, showing that while floods are less common now, they can still cause big problems.

Methodology

The paper is a review analyzing historical data on flood events and urban development in Rome over 2500 years.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in historical accounts of flood events may affect the reliability of the analysis.

Limitations

The study relies on historical records, which may be incomplete or biased due to the scarcity of surviving sources.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s13280-024-02078-5

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