College of Engineering and Technology

ASSIGNMENT 1
Programme Title:

MSc Civil Engineering and Construction

Management

Programme Code:

MK2AC

Module Title:

Flood Risk Engineering

Management

Module Code:

7BU502

Module Leader:

Michael Gallanagh

Lecturer:

Michael Gallanagh

Assignment Title:

Flood Management Policy and

Legislation

Weighting:

40% of Assessment

Issue Date:

30th September 2015

Hand-in Date:

30th October 2015

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Introduction
All around the world, choices have to be made on a number of levels if future flood risk is to be well managed
and responsible flood managers are to work within the economic, political and institutional constraints of the
day. Within those constraints, Governments must decide on the risk of flooding they are prepared to accept. In
effect they can choose from a range of options:
(a) Maintain current flood policies and expenditure, accept reduced standards of flood protection and
hence a substantial increase in flood risk, and live with the increase in expected annual economic
damage.
(b) Reduce flood risk by the application of a portfolio of flood response measures to levels at or similar
to the present.
(c) Reduce flood risk further, which may be difficult in economic and sustainability terms under some
scenarios, but feasible under others.
As the range of options above demonstrate, the choices for government and other accountable stakeholders in
managing flood risk are complex and it is therefore the aim of this assignment to investigate the effectiveness
of the policies and associated legislation which have been put in place to manage flood risk scenarios.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, the student should be able to:
Investigate and critically evaluate the effectiveness of UK and EC policy and legislation which is
designed to address flood risk amid concerns related to climate change.

The Brief
The diagram below shows the degree of control by government over different drivers of flood risk (with
responses to flood risk lying towards the right-hand side).

Using the diagram as a framework for your written content, critically analyse and evaluate the potential
effectiveness of UK and EC policy and legislation in addressing flood risk amid concerns related to climate
change. Include examples of how legislation is implemented by responsible bodies at local, regional, and/or
national level.
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Resources & Reference Materials
Module lecture support notes, including UK and EC legislation and implications for stakeholders; Civil
Contingencies Act 2004, Flood and Water Management Act 2010, EC Directives, including EU Floods Directive
200760/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks, Planning Policy Statement 25: Development
and Flood Risk, Draft Flood and Management Bill, Recommendations made in the 2007 Pitt Review, Roles
and responsibilities for flood defence and risk management in the UK, Overview of methods for
implementation; Environment Agency, Local Authorities, Local Area Agreements, DEFRA, British Waterways,
The National Adaptation Programme 2013.

Submission Requirements
The assignment will be in either essay or report format, approximately 2000 words in length, conforming to
appropriate written assignment standards. Dividing the submission into sections by using sub-headings makes
presentation and reading easier; and a robust conclusion (drawing on arguments presented in your writing) is
a vital element. Reference sources can be freely drawn on, but remember to cite the source(s) used, and
identify them properly in the References section.

Submission Date
Friday 30th October 2015
The assignment should be submitted electronically on or before the date of submission. Late submission risks
being penalised.

Return of Work
It is University policy that assignment work will normally be returned within a maximum of three weeks after the date of
submission, when report grades will be available. Under exceptional circumstances eg due to illness or where work is retained
for external examiners, extended return dates may be published, but a copy of the marking sheet will always be given to you.
Please note that the three-week period refers to semester weeks and does not include student holidays like the Christmas or
Easter break.

Assessment Criteria
The grading scale applying to level 7 of the Universitys Integrated Credit System will be used.
All grades given for assignment work are provisional until confirmed or otherwise by the next Module
Assessment Board.

Performance Criteria
For (Excellent, 70 100%) the student will have demonstrated a thorough understanding of flood
management policy, associated legislation and their potential impact. There will be many examples of research
into commentaries on their effectiveness and the conclusions will have been strongly linked to research and
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convincingly drawn out, using references and citations. Presentation, including images and tables, will be to an
impressive standard with all conventions observed.
For (Very Good, 60 69%) the student will have demonstrated a strong awareness of flood management
policy, associated legislation and their potential impact. There will be several examples of research into
commentaries on their effectiveness, and the conclusions will be substantially linked to the research using
references and citations. Presentation, including images and tables, will be to a commendable standard with
the majority of the submission complying and clearly written.
For (Good, 50 59%) the student will have presented a competent appraisal of flood management policy,
associated legislation and their potential impact. There will be sufficient evidence of research into
commentaries on their effectiveness, and conclusions will be drawn with relevant support. Presentation,
including images and tables, will be to a competent standard and demonstrate an attempt to satisfy
conventions and references will be given and cited.
For (Satisfactory, 40 49%) the student will have presented a reasonably competent appraisal of flood
management policy, associated legislation and their potential impact. There will be some evidence of research
into commentaries on their effectiveness, and conclusions will be drawn with relevant support. Presentation,
including images and tables, will demonstrate an attempt to satisfy conventions and references will be given
and cited.
To FAIL (<40%) the student will not have covered the topic in sufficient depth, and the research will be lacking
in both amount and evidence of usage. Conclusions will be inadequately supported, and the presentation will
be lacking in clarity and not complying with written work conventions.

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