Extreme floods cause enormous damage in floodplains, which levees cannot prevent. It is hence vital for spatial planning to provide space for water retention in these areas. However, attempts to make the space for rivers to provide retention are generally not very successful. Taking an innovative, interdisciplinary approach, this book proposes a new concept – Large Areas for Temporary Emergency Retention (LATER) – in 'Clumsy Floodplains', as an alternative to levee-based protection.
