title: Flood resilience technology in Europe: identifying barriers and co-producing best practice

authors: White, Iain

subjects: Co-production

abstract: Flood resistance (FRe) and resilience technologies hold considerable potential to limit the damage caused by flooding. Resistance technologies generally aim to keep water out of buildings, while resilient measures may allow ingress but create the conditions for a quicker recovery of individuals, communities and buildings. However, despite their potential contribution to flood risk management (FRM), their use remains uncommon. This paper draws on pan‐European research of local communities at risk and their representatives, and professional stakeholders working at a more strategic scale, to explore the barriers to use and describe the co‐production of new best practice. It interrogates the issues in terms of level of awareness, degree of acceptance and the integration into decision making. We found that even where awareness was high, there was a reluctance to use these measures. This is due to issues related to comparability, costs, installation, performance and maintenance. The research also revealed that FRM policy and practice has struggled to incorporate this emergent approach and that many individuals at risk are reluctant to take responsibility and protect their properties in this way. In response, this paper details how good practice guidance – the ‘Six Steps approach’ – was co‐produced with key stakeholders to facilitate the wider contribution of FRe to FRM.

text: Flood resilience technology in Europe: identifying barriers and co-producing best practice Flood resistance (FRe) and resilience technologies hold considerable potential to limit the damage caused by flooding. Resistance technologies generally aim to keep water out of buildings, while resilient measures may allow ingress but create the conditions for a quicker recovery of individuals, communities and buildings. However, despite their potential contribution to flood risk management (FRM), their use remains uncommon. This paper draws on pan‐European research of local communities at risk and their representatives, and professional stakeholders working at a more strategic scale, to explore the barriers to use and describe the co‐production of new best practice. It interrogates the issues in terms of level of awareness, degree of acceptance and the integration into decision making. We found that even where awareness was high, there was a reluctance to use these measures. This is due to issues related to comparability, costs, installation, performance and maintenance. The research also revealed that FRM policy and practice has struggled to incorporate this emergent approach and that many individuals at risk are reluctant to take responsibility and protect their properties in this way. In response, this paper details how good practice guidance – the ‘Six Steps approach’ – was co‐produced with key stakeholders to facilitate the wider contribution of FRe to FRM.

year: 2018

title: Tyings in linear systems of equations modelled with positive and negative penalty functions

authors: Askes, Harm

subjects: constraints

abstract: In this short note, we focus on tyings (constraints that relate multiple degrees of freedom) modelled by means of penalty functions. In contrast to what is commonly thought, it is possible to obtain convergent results when negative penalty parameters are taken. A mathematical proof and an illustrating example are provided. In particular, we have proven that the results obtained with positive and negative penalty parameters enclose the exact solution from opposite sides. To this end, we have investigated a pseudo-force that is defined as the derivative of the constraint with respect to the inverse penalty parameter.

text: Tyings in linear systems of equations modelled with positive and negative penalty functions In this short note, we focus on tyings (constraints that relate multiple degrees of freedom) modelled by means of penalty functions. In contrast to what is commonly thought, it is possible to obtain convergent results when negative penalty parameters are taken. A mathematical proof and an illustrating example are provided. In particular, we have proven that the results obtained with positive and negative penalty parameters enclose the exact solution from opposite sides. To this end, we have investigated a pseudo-force that is defined as the derivative of the constraint with respect to the inverse penalty parameter.

year: 2008

title: Te Kahautu Maxwell on Te Kooti and Ringatu (Interviewed by Tama Muru)

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: In October 1869 musket fire erupted at Te Porere about sixty kilometres north of here, in the shadow of Mount Tongariro in the last major battle of the New Zealand wars. 

Armed constabulary and Maori fighters, clashed with the forces of the prophet Te Kooti Arikinui Te Turiki who had built an earth redoubt at Te Porere.  It was overwhelmed during the battle, but Te Kooti and his surviving followers escaped. 

Today the site is a tourist attraction but what also endured is the Ringatu Church, founded by Te Kooti. In 2018 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. 

Ringatu mixes the Bible with Maori custom and, like Matariki, follows annual cycles such as Te Huamata in June for planting and Te Pure, the harvest, each November. 

We spoke to Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell , a minister in the Ringatu Church and a senior academic in Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.

text: Te Kahautu Maxwell on Te Kooti and Ringatu (Interviewed by Tama Muru) In October 1869 musket fire erupted at Te Porere about sixty kilometres north of here, in the shadow of Mount Tongariro in the last major battle of the New Zealand wars. 

Armed constabulary and Maori fighters, clashed with the forces of the prophet Te Kooti Arikinui Te Turiki who had built an earth redoubt at Te Porere.  It was overwhelmed during the battle, but Te Kooti and his surviving followers escaped. 

Today the site is a tourist attraction but what also endured is the Ringatu Church, founded by Te Kooti. In 2018 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. 

Ringatu mixes the Bible with Maori custom and, like Matariki, follows annual cycles such as Te Huamata in June for planting and Te Pure, the harvest, each November. 

We spoke to Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell , a minister in the Ringatu Church and a senior academic in Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.

year: 2025