Flood risk: a capacity and vulnerability analysis of Newham and Hammersmith, UK

The intensity of floods due to climate change has significantly increased in both developed and developing countries. Flood prevention measures are assumed to be more robust in more developed economies with the ability to dedicate greater economic resources. However, in London, a deeper interrogation of flood risk management (FRM) tells a different story. This study presents a comparative capacity and vulnerability analysis of the Newham and Hammersmith areas of London. The analysis suggests lower levels of resiliency for Newham, a lower-income and ethnically diverse area. On the contrary, the more affluent area of Hammersmith is more likely to be better equipped to respond and recover in the event of flooding.