Spanish review governance legislation
Directly after the RIWET event in Valencia, the Spanish government announced an urgent review of water and territory legislation. This will address issues as raised by Ramon Bellido of Valencia Provincial Council during his EEW3 presentation regarding land use, stricter regulations, and flood map revisions.
The governance evaluation begins directly with a public participation process now open to citizens and entities. Preliminary documentation mentions improvements to water governance and participation while the concept of "new generation floods," links it to a growing European problem.
Addressing flood risk
In response to the recent devastating flood events, particularly the DANA storm in October 2024, the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has launched a preliminary public consultation this week to update flood risk management regulations. These updates include revisions to the Regulation of the Public Water Domain and the Royal Decree on flood risk assessment and management.
The goal of this initiative is to better protect people and property during flood events. The updates will focus on stricter land use regulations in flood-prone areas and introduce measures to help adapt vulnerable structures in these zones to the growing flood risk.
Collaborative water governance
A key part of the new legislative effort is to create a collaborative framework among public administrations responsible for implementing flood protection measures. It will also introduce training programmes for both government employees and citizens to improve risk awareness and prevention while working closely with civil protection authorities. The public consultation, which is now open, invites feedback from citizens, organizations, and public and private entities. This input will help shape the final regulatory framework.
The updated regulations aim to reduce flood risks by strengthening existing measures and introducing new strategies to protect lives and property. This includes stricter land use controls in flood zones and resilience-focused measures for vulnerable infrastructure in those areas.
Growing European concern
Flooding, particularly flash floods in the Mediterranean region, has become more frequent due to urban expansion in floodplains and the effects of climate change. This was highlighted during the recent RIWET project's EEW3, where the severe flooding in Valencia last October was presented and the impacts, still very visible, were discussed with the partners from across Europe. As climate change accelerates, addressing both urban development in flood zones and global warming is crucial. Extreme weather conditons are increasingly causing devastating economic and environmental damage, in addition to putting lives at risk.
The increase in "new generation floods" and extreme weather events driven by global warming and climate change is becoming more common all across Europe. In 2021, floods in southern Germany and Belgium led to over 200 fatalities. In August 2023, Slovenia experienced widespread flooding, resulting in six deaths and the evacuation of 8,000 people. In early 2024, northern France faced severe rainfall, causing widespread flooding and evacuations. Greece, too, faced catastrophic flooding from Storm Daniel in 2023. More recently, Storm Boris brought extreme rains across central and eastern Europe, claiming at least 24 lives.
The devastating DANA in Valencia impacted 78 municipalities and resulted in 230 fatalities, marking an urgent need for comprehensive flood risk management. These events, though still relatively rare, have shown an alarming trend of increased frequency and severity.
A new approach to governance
The Mediterranean region is particularly at risk as the rising temperature of the Mediterranean Sea contributes to more extreme weather events. While flooding has long been a concern in Spain, particularly in the eastern peninsula, the frequency and intensity of "new generation floods" signal that we may be entering an era of catastrophic events.
This growing threat calls for a stronger approach to territorial planning, governance, and updated legislation. Effective flood risk management requires us to adapt to changing conditions, and the responsibility to protect our future lies with all of us.
We will keep you updated on Europe's steps towards new flood and drought governance measures during the course of the RIWET project.
With thanks to David Campos