Gavleån Waterwhed in Collaboration

Purpose and goal

The project establishes a collaboration between IVL, SLU, Sandvikens Kommun, Gävle Energi and IF Skadeförsäkring. These actors will examine how flooding problems can be addressed holistically from the full water catchment perspective - with Gavleån in focus. We are conducting a systems analysis to identify collaborative solutions, both long and short term, to increase the area´s resilience and reduce negative effects of future flooding caused by heavy rainfall and high flows.

Expected effects and result

Short term, the collaboration is expected to provide a new holistic insights into how the flooding issue can be addressed in the Gavleån catchment area. In addition, the willingness to cooperate and find common solutions is expected to increase in both the long and short term, with the strengthening of the solution-oriented approach as an effect. The project is expected to result in defined key questions/areas that need deeper collaboration, also with actors outside the project group.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is divided into two main phases. First, we perform a system analysis through thematic workshops on topics such as responsibility, funding and law, hydrology as well as an international outlook. In this phase, the competence and understanding of the group will be built up. In the second phase, the perspective is switched to "how?". We implement a systems approach that focuses on the type of collaboration that needs to take place and plans the key steps needed for the continued work.