Flood risks are on the rise across Central Europe. Learn how our work with Polish Waters is helping protect nearly 70,000 people through a series of flood resilience schemes.
As climate change increases the frequency and severity of flooding across Europe, strengthening flood resilience is a key priority for Poland.
Recognising the increased risks, Polish Waters (the State Water Holding Polish Waters National Water Management Authority) launched the Odra-Vistula Flood Management Project (OVFMP) , a €1,202 million initiative designed to enhance flood defences in Poland and protect those living in areas most vulnerable to flooding.
Appointed as consultant, we’re helping the Polish Waters’ regional authority in Krakow implement the most urgent flood protection projects – valued at nearly €100 million – in the Upper Vistula basins of Małopolskie Voivodeship.
Our services include preparing detailed designs, environmental impact assessments, environmental management plans, land acquisition and action plans and tender documentation, obtaining the necessary administrative approvals, supervising the construction works and providing ongoing technical support.
Why do the upper Vistula basins need to be protected?
The Vistula River – Poland’s longest and most significant waterway – has been central to the cultural and economic development of cities like Kraków for generations. However, it poses a serious flood risk to the surrounding communities and their livelihoods – particularly in the Upper Vistula basins and floodplains.
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, the ageing flood defences in the region are struggling to cope. This leaves thousands of residents increasingly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of flooding.
The protection of the Upper Vistula towns and Kraków component of the OVFMP is addressing the region’s flood vulnerabilities by modernising and constructing new defences, safeguarding local communities and ensuring the area is better prepared for future climate challenges.
Applying our multidisciplinary expertise
The Protection of the Upper Vistula towns and Krakow component of the OVFMP comprises 11 investments designed to strengthen flood resilience across the region.
These investments involve upgrading 26 kilometres of embankments (13 kilometres along the Vistula River in Krakow and 13 kilometres along the Biała River in Tarnow), constructing two flood gates along the Vistula River in Kraków and four dry polders to manage peak water flows.
Our team is providing support in project management and technical services throughout the programme, which is currently in the delivery phase.
This includes:
- The preparation of detailed designs of flood protection investments, along with environmental and social safeguard documents and tender documentation for contractor selection.
- Obtaining administrative approvals allowing for the construction of the investments.
- Supervising the construction works and implementation of environmental and social mitigation measures. (For example, to minimise environmental impact, tree removal was carefully managed and reduced, with replacement plantings carried out nearby and felling restricted outside the bird breeding season. Furthermore, in areas where construction affected local green spaces, new recreational areas – such as playgrounds – were introduced to benefit the community.)
- Engineering services in accordance with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) contractual conditions.
Overcoming challenges through collaboration and digital tools
Engaging stakeholders in the design process has been key. Our detailed designs were developed in close collaboration with stakeholders, including local authorities, residents and NGOs. By addressing their concerns and incorporating mitigation measures, we ensured the designs met both community and environmental needs.
The project has faced significant challenges, including periods of heavy rainfall, the coronavirus pandemic and disruptions caused by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. To navigate these complexities, we have been using Building Information Modelling (BIM) to monitor construction progress, identify risks early and streamline workflows.
For example, with BIM, we were able to present embankment designs to local communities, demonstrating how the structures would affect their neighbourhoods – including potential impacts on their homes.
Additionally, BIM allowed us to detect and resolve design clashes early, identifying potential conflicts between installations and structural elements before construction began. By addressing these issues at the design stage, we helped prevent costly delays and ensured a smoother construction process for contractors.
Strengthening flood resilience while enhancing biodiversity
Once complete, the protection of the Upper Vistula towns and Krakow component of the OVFMP will safeguard more than 32,000 hectares of flood-prone land, protecting thousands of people in some of the country’s most vulnerable areas. In addition to reducing flood risks, the programme will deliver a number of environmental benefits.
These include:
- Halving the scope of tree felling during construction
- Preserving an island of decades-old oak trees
- Planting approximately 6,600 trees to offset necessary losses
- Enhancing surface water retention through improved hydrogeological conditions
- Creating a native flower meadow and new wetland habitats to support biodiversity and amphibian populations.
Thanks to its holistic approach, the programme will not only strengthen flood resilience but also help revitalise local ecosystems – contributing to a more sustainable future for the region.