LIFE FloodProof
Flood risk adaptation and management project for four municipalities in the Segura Basin
LIFE FloodProof is a European initiative aimed at protecting the municipalities of Ceutí, Lorquí, Alguazas, and Las Torres de Cotillas from the growing risk of flooding in the Segura River basin. The project proposes the progressive transformation of these towns into “sponge cities,” an urban model that improves the management of torrential rainfall and enhances cities’ capacity to adapt to extreme climate events.
To achieve this, Nature-Based Solutions will be implemented, such as sustainable urban drainage systems that enable natural water infiltration into the ground. These measures will help reduce the impact of floods, decrease surface runoff, and improve the quality of water reaching rivers. In addition, the project includes the installation of an early warning system based on sensors, which will allow advance alerts to be issued to the population in the event of potential flooding.
The LIFE FloodProof project arises in response to the high vulnerability to flooding in the Segura River basin, an area that has experienced numerous extreme events in recent years. Between 2015 and 2021, 28 flood events were recorded, affecting more than 265,000 people. This risk is further exacerbated by the effects of climate change and the high percentage of impervious surfaces in urban areas.
The main objective of the project is to mitigate flood risk in the four pilot municipalities —Ceutí, Alguazas, Las Torres de Cotillas, and Lorquí— through the development of innovative measures that contribute to advancing the implementation and updating of the Flood Risk Management Plan for the Segura River Basin District (FRMP). The project methodology is based on three key pillars: promoting knowledge and technological planning, strengthening public administrations’ capacity to manage flood risk, and enhancing institutional cooperation and citizen participation before and during extreme events.
Within this framework, the project defines the following specific objectives:
SO1: Increase knowledge on flood risk characterization and local-level risk mitigation possibilities.
SO2: Adapt urban planning and design prevention and protection measures according to the conditions identified in flood hazard and risk maps.
SO3: Test measures to improve urban permeability and drainage, while increasing acceptance and awareness of the benefits of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Nature-Based Solutions in Mediterranean climates.
SO4: Improve protection strategies and early warning systems in real time, fostering collaboration among public and private stakeholders and civil society.
SO5: Raise awareness and build capacity among social stakeholders and citizens regarding flood risk.
SO6: Update and advance the implementation of the Floods Directive in the Segura River Basin District and contribute to its application in other European river basins.
The project consortium is composed of nine partners combining public administrations, research institutions, and specialized organizations. In addition to the participating municipalities, the consortium includes the Segura River Basin Authority (CHS), the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT), the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM), LANDLAB Landscape Laboratory SLP, and Eurovértice Consultores SL.
The project will promote the implementation of the “sponge city” model through the deployment of Nature-Based Solutions in Ceutí, Lorquí, Alguazas, and Las Torres de Cotillas. These pilot actions will increase urban soil permeability and improve cities’ capacity to manage rainwater naturally.
Furthermore, Local Action Plans for flood risk will be developed in the four municipalities. The project also includes the creation of governance and citizen monitoring groups, awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the local population, and the organization of four flood emergency drills—one in each municipality—to train citizens in self-protection and evacuation protocols. Finally, the consortium will work on the development of model municipal ordinances and best practice guidelines for flood risk management, ensuring that the project’s results and acquired experience can be transferred and incorporated into future planning cycles at regional, national, and European levels.
Implementation period: 1 October 2025 – 31 January 2029
Total eligible budget: €2,086,868
European Union contribution: €1,252,121