Comparing Methods for Determining Flood Protection Elevation in Urban Built-up Areas

To determine the flood protection elevation (FPE) in urban built-up areas, this study examines four possible methods: using the highest flood elevation in the past, extending base flood elevations of nearby watercourse to inland, and two simulation methods of inland flood under the same rainfall used in the watercourse planning nearby. According to the case study of the Jang-An Drainage Area, Seoul, the highest flood elevation in the past and simulation results of inland flood under the same rainfall in the watercourse planning nearby tend to get similar results, while extending base flood elevations of nearby watercourse to inland shows much higher elevations than other results. Meanwhile, cost-benefit analysis, when regulating residential/commercial uses below the FPE by each of four methods, suggest that planners need to consider carefully the economic feasibility of FPE used to choose appropriate methods.