Urban Flooding Risk in Machico and Planning Its Territory as a Form of Prevention

Abstract

Machico, a parish located in Madeira, Portugal, is prone to recurring floods during periods of heavy rainfall, which can cause significant damage to property, infrastructure, and even put the lives of people and animals at risk. The increasing urbanization has worsened this problem since urban growth often occurs in risk-prone areas, such as steep slopes or floodplains. Additionally, the development of drainage and flow systems often cannot keep up with the pace of urban expansion, leading to greater vulnerability to flooding. Therefore, it is essential to conduct studies to better understand how urbanization contributes to flooding to develop more effective risk management strategies. This involves identifying risk-prone areas, establishing prevention and damage mitigation measures, and implementing early warning systems to protect the population in the event of extreme weather conditions.