The social component in the new Eristic-Dialectical Integrated Flood Management (EDIFM) model is an addition to the IFM model that has common elements with the IWRM approach. It proceeds with the following steps
(1) River Basin Authorities (RBAs)
IFM plans are developed by the RBAs at the river basin scale. RBAs are responsible for collecting data, assessing the existing natural end ecological status of water bodies, and setting up the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). In the EDIFM model, RBAs have additional duties for including the stakeholders in the flood management process. A strong consultation with stakeholders is added and the conflictual interaction between water users and water resources is considered.
(2) Joint Action Plan (JAP)
In the EDIFM model, the pressure-response process that is the main component of the IWRM model is complemented by a stakeholder consultation aiming to set up a JAP. The aim of the JAP is to establish a participatory program for collecting hydrological and socio-economic data, analyzing existing conflicts of interest, implementing dialectical solutions for conflict resolution, and registering the progress made. In the JAP, to identify the flood risks not only the natural hazards but also anthropogenic pressures on water resources are taken into consideration by analyzing the conflicts between social activities and the hydrological/natural laws. The new water-human integrated approach defines a dialectical relationship to nature by taking into account nature’s rights and reinforcing environmental equity.
(3) Conflict Eristical Analysis (CEA)
In the CEA process, conflicts are classified into a) conflicts between humans and nature (anthropo-natural), and b) social, economic or political conflicts between stakeholders (anthropo-socio-economic). In the EDIFM model, anthropo-natural conflicts are recognized when man violates natural laws.
(4) Dialectical Conflict Resolution (DCA)
As the most crucial part, it is based on a dialectical reflection and a profound knowledge of natural laws to suggest a conflict resolution based on the unity of opposite issues.
Figure 1. Giofyros outflow
The expert team of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was designated by the city’s authorities to suggest measures of flood control. The EDIFM model has been applied as follows:
1) A JAP has been established in cooperation with the Regional Agency for Eastern Crete Development (OANAK) and local stakeholders.
2) Possible conflicts between natural laws and human activities have been analyzed. Two main natural/hydrological/hydraulic laws have been identified to be violated during a flood:
(a) The Hydraulic Law: the water overflows the river banks when the river’s flow rate (e.g. 300 m3/s for T=20 years) exceeds the flow capacity of the river bed (Ganoulis, 2003).
(b) The Coriolis Phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere: due to the Earth’s rotation and negligible tidal forces, the outflow of Mediterranean rivers shows a dextral deflexion. As shown in Figure 1, by a dextral diversion of the Giofyros mouth, Coriolis inertial forces can facilitate the transportation of sediments from the river’s mouth into the sea.
Figure 2. Giofyros basin
3) Dialectical resolution:
(a) To resolve the hydraulic conflict, i.e. a flood exceeding the river’s flow capacity, alternative solutions are described in the previous section. A dialectical solution in harmony with the hydraulic law consists of building a few shallow flood detention dams across the Giofyros basin (Figure 2). In contrast to flood retention reservoirs, a flood detention reservoir is complemented with an outlet pipe up to a certain altitude. During the flood, the peak of the floodwater is accumulated in the detention reservoir and the remaining floodwater is safely evacuated into the river.
(b) To maintain the Coriolis effect for solid transportation, an earthen jetty has been constructed into the sea to protect the dextral deviation of the river’s mouth (Figure 1).