Cost-benefit analysis of a proposed storm surge barrier on the river Scheldt (Belgium)
Berlamont, J.; Sas, M.; Van Rompuy, P. (1987). Cost-benefit analysis of a proposed storm surge barrier on the river Scheldt (Belgium), in: Singh, V.P. Flood Hydrology. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Flood Frequency and Risk Analyses, 14-17 May 1986, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, U.S.A.. pp. 333-345
At the request of the Belgian government, the University of Leuven carried out a multi-disciplinary evaluation study of the proposed storm surge barrier on the river Scheldt, near Antwerp (Belgium).After assessing the frequency of occurrence of storm surge levels at Antwerp and at any other station along the river, a number of inundation scenarios were simulated to estimate flooded area, and thus the damage as a function of the return period. It was found that the cost of the storm surge barrier was six to seventeen times higher than its benefit: it only offers a very expensive marginal extra safety. In consequence of the study the barrier project has been abandoned.The study has proved that a multi-disciplinary approach is the best way to evaluate flood protection alternatives in a systematic way, within the wide range of socio-economical constraints.
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