Report on developing long-term strategies and recommendations supporting the restoration of societal and infrastructural resilience to flood impacts and providing expert support in flood risk management (upper Odra River basin)

Abstract

The report presents a comprehensive assessment of flood hazards in Poland and formulates recommendations aimed at rebuilding and strengthening societal, infrastructural, and environmental resilience. It reviews historical and recent floods, identifying both natural and anthropogenic drivers, and analyzes their impacts on communities, the economy, and aquatic ecosystems. The emphasis is placed on the need for integrated flood risk management encompassing prevention, protection, preparedness, response, and recovery. The authors highlight the importance of a stable, long-term national strategy grounded in scientific evidence, effective governance, and broad stakeholder engagement. Recommended measures include enhancing natural and artificial retention, river restoration, limiting development in flood-prone areas, reinforcing critical infrastructure, and improving monitoring, early warning, and public education. The report stresses the complementarity of technical and non-technical approaches and the need to tailor them to local conditions to effectively reduce flood risk and its consequences.