Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok

Programme Overview

Rapid urbanisation and climate volatility present severe challenges to riverine and coastal settlements across Southeast Asia.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Inadequate drainage networks, loss of natural retention areas, and tidal influences exacerbate monsoon inundations. This four-day intensive programme equips municipal leaders and engineers with operational strategies to address systemic urban flooding. Hosted in Bangkok, a deltaic metropolis managing extensive stormwater infrastructure, the course delivers practical exposure to structural and non-structural flood alleviation measures suited to dynamic catchment conditions.

Participants examine integrated catchment management, exploring hydrodynamic rainfall-runoff modelling, urban retention basin engineering, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for stormwater pump stations. Technical modules incorporate nature-based solutions alongside heavy civil infrastructure, focusing on sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and low-impact development. Through technical reviews and contextual problem-solving, attendees learn to assess basin vulnerabilities, calculate runoff volumes under changing meteorological patterns, and evaluate civil designs against recognised international resilience benchmarks.

The curriculum emphasises project delivery under multilateral development bank environmental and social frameworks. Working in cross-disciplinary teams, delegates synthesise hydrological data, land-use constraints, and community protection priorities into robust infrastructure interventions. By examining real-world delta management applications, participants gain actionable approaches for capital works planning, modernising drainage assets, and mitigating socio-economic disruptions caused by high-intensity rainfall events and coastal storm surges in vulnerable urban districts.

Coastal and riverine secondary cities face compounding pressures from extreme rainfall events, rapid urban land-use conversion, and river backwater effects.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Public institutions and municipal authorities are increasingly directing substantial capital resources toward comprehensive urban flood alleviation works, as illustrated by the Vinh City Priority Infrastructure and Urban Resilience Development Project in Nghe An Province, which allocates 129.6m USD to urban drainage and resilience. Delivering these complex, donor-financed infrastructure schemes requires modern engineering competencies in hydrodynamic modelling, automated stormwater drainage assets, and integrated river basin planning to secure long-term municipal resilience.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Bangkok, Thailand, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• Hydrological principles of deltaic and coastal river catchments: precipitation, infiltration, and tidal interaction
• Hydrodynamic modelling fundamentals: 1D and 2D flood routing using platforms such as EPA SWMM and HEC-RAS
• Data collection methodologies: LiDAR terrain data, hydrographic surveys, and hydrometric station networks
• Diagnostic assessment of urban runoff coefficients influenced by land-use change and hardstanding expansion
• Practical exercise: interpreting hydrodynamic model outputs to identify catchment pinch-points and critical flood depths
• Engineering criteria for urban retention basins, attenuation ponds, and underground stormwater storage cells
• Geotechnical and structural design considerations for embankment stability, spillways, and sediment traps
• Integrating nature-based solutions: bioswales, permeable pavements, and constructed wetlands in dense urban fabrics
• Climate and environmental risk assessment
• Adaptation and mitigation planning
• Sector strategies for energy, water and land
• Project design for climate and environmental goals

It is designed for municipal and provincial drainage board executives, city engineers and urban infrastructure technical directors, provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) staff and others who want practical, current skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

The Growing Importance of Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok

Climate change, environmental pressure and resource management now shape national plans, budgets and investment decisions. Financiers increasingly expect climate and environmental considerations to be built into projects from the start.

Institutions that can plan for climate risks, manage natural resources well and prepare sound proposals are better placed to protect services and to access the funding available for this work.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets
• Design projects that meet climate and environmental goals
• Prepare proposals that financiers can approve
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work with communities and partners across sectors

Strong climate, environment and natural resources systems help organisations:

• Protect services and infrastructure from climate risks
• Access climate and environmental finance
• Meet national and international commitments
• Use natural resources sustainably

This Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Municipal and provincial drainage board executives
• City engineers and urban infrastructure technical directors
• Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) staff
• Urban planning authority officers and municipal spatial planners
• Project Management Unit (PMU) directors for donor-funded resilience schemes
• Hydrological and hydraulic design engineers from public works ministries
• Flood risk management and disaster prevention agency personnel
• Irrigation and water resources management department specialists
• Environmental compliance officers overseeing urban civil works projects
• Climate change and environment officers
• Energy, water and agriculture sector staff
• Planning and policy officers

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate hydrodynamic catchment modelling outputs to determine flood inundation extents and runoff peaks under varied return periods
• Appraise the structural and civil engineering designs of urban retention basins, detention ponds, and subterranean storage reservoirs
• Examine automated stormwater pumping station controls, including telemetry and SCADA integration, for high-volume drainage operations
• Apply international technical standards and environmental safeguards to urban drainage rehabilitation and flood management projects
• Design nature-based solutions and sustainable drainage system (SuDS) assets to complement conventional grey stormwater infrastructure
• Formulate operation and maintenance schedules for urban polders, tidal floodgates, and engineered canal networks
• Draft integrated flood mitigation and drainage rehabilitation master plans tailored to coastal and riverine municipal environments
• Explain the main climate and environmental challenges for their sector
• Assess climate and environmental risks to services and assets
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training Methodology

The training is delivered through interactive lectures, technical design reviews, software demonstration walk-throughs, and collaborative project assignments. Participants analyse real-world drainage network schematics, civil engineering drawings, and hydrological datasets. Facilitated team workshops allow practitioners to apply diagnostic tools and international design frameworks directly to the challenges of deltaic and coastal settlements, concluding with structured peer reviews and technical feedback from senior water resources specialists.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Practical tools and templates to take back to work
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training, participants will be able to:

• Interpret and critique 1D and 2D hydrodynamic models to guide capital allocation for flood prevention
• Select appropriate technical configurations for urban retention, attenuation, and infiltration structures
• Specify mechanical, electrical, and automation requirements for municipal stormwater pump stations
• Incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) into conventional civil engineering master plans
• Align municipal drainage proposals with the environmental and social standards of multilateral financing institutions
• Produce actionable operation, maintenance, and asset management routines for critical flood defence infrastructure
• Assess climate and environmental risks
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Climate and environmental planning
• Project design
• Access to finance
• Results measurement
• Stakeholder involvement

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Risk assessments
• Concept notes
• Results frameworks
• Monitoring systems
• Partnership arrangements

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply climate, environment and natural resources within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in climate, environment and natural resources increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on climate, environment and natural resources. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to climate, environment and natural resources that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Bangkok, Thailand brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how climate, environment and natural resources is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Thailand

Explore expert-led training in Bangkok. Join Risalat’s professional courses to enhance your skills in leadership, finance, governance, and development.

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Readiness Assessment
• Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok Training Manual
• Climate Risk Screening Checklist
• Options Appraisal Template
• Concept Note Template
• Results Measurement Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Funding Readiness Checklist
• Monitoring and Reporting Template
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Urban Hydrology, Hydrodynamic Catchment Modelling, and Flood Risk Diagnostics), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions design projects that meet climate and environmental goals?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Retention Basins, Detention Storage, and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions prepare proposals that financiers can approve?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Stormwater Pumping Stations, Polders, and Conveyance Infrastructure), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions measure and report results credibly?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Master Planning, Safeguards, and Project Delivery in Donor-Financed Operations), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions work with communities and partners across sectors?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Urban Hydrology, Hydrodynamic Catchment Modelling, and Flood Risk Diagnostics), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Urban Flood Protection and Resilient Drainage Basin Management in Bangkok programme take place?

It runs from 18 Oct 2027 to 21 Oct 2027, in Bangkok, Thailand. The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for municipal and provincial drainage board executives, city engineers and urban infrastructure technical directors, provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) staff, urban planning authority officers and municipal spatial planners, and others who want practical skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in climate, environment and natural resources?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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