1. Roads for water security, water for roads safety
In this presentation, Frank van Steenbergen, explains the “roads for water” approach and the multiple benefits of integrating water management and road development. Frank also presents the results of a research on the socioeconomic impacts of roads for water in Ethiopia in 20013-2014 which was undertaken by Mekelle University, MetaMeta and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Moreover, many opportunities for harvesting water from roads are indicated worldwide.
2. Roads for Water: Introduction to technologies
In this presentation, Kifle Woldearegay explains the importance of roads for water especially in Ethiopia due to water scarcity issues in many parts of the country. Firstly, Kifle gives an overview of the hydrological effects of road development and then he is presenting some examples of water harvesting from roads in the Tigray region. Different water harvesting practices are presented depending on the landscape and local needs for water.
3. Culvert and cross-drainage design
This is a synopsis overview of culvert and cross-drainage design by Ian Neal, which is based on the technical guidance included in the Ethiopian Road Authority (ERA) technical manual. In this presentation, Ian firstly explains the factors influencing the drainage design and then he is describing how to design culverts and drainage for water harvesting in different terrains (flat terrain, rolling terrain, mountainous terrain).
4. Gully assessment and prevention
This is a presentation about gully assessment and prevention given by Lakew Desta. This presentation provides insights into the processes of formation and occurrence of gullies and the principles of gully prevention. Also, Lakew explains how gullies can be used as RWH structures and to support water harvesting from roads.
5. Rainwater runoff from roads
Erik Nissen Petersen is presenting the idea of harvesting water from roads. He explains that during the rainy season, we have seen that rainwater creates damages to the road infrastructure, to the surrounding environment (such as soil erosion and sedimentation) and to the communities living along the roads (such as floods). He highlights that we can turn this problem into an opportunity and instead of having rainwater ruining our roads to harvest the rainwater from roads in order to improve the livelihoods of rural people.
6. Roads for inclusiveness
Crelis Rammer from the University of Utrecht introduces the “Feeder Road Research project” which is about feeder road development and employment. Crelis presents some preliminary results of the fieldwork research that he did in collaboration with Kebede Manjur (from Mekelle University) on inclusive feeder roads. Finally, he discussed the “roads for water approach” and how roads for water can also be roads for inclusiveness.
7. Road-side planting
In this presentation, Marta Agujetas Perez explained the several benefits of planting trees along roads. Road-side tree plantations, apart from being an effective way to manage the excess road run-off, also contribute to other issues such as dust control, CO2 sequestration etc. Marta explains in-depth what are the steps for planning and implementing road-side plantations and finally, she highlights the key factors for success.
8. Social impacts of roads for water
In this video, Kebede Manjur presents a research on the social impact of roads for water in Tigray region (Ethiopia) undertaken by the University of Utrecht, Mekelle University and The Institute of Development Studies (IDS).
9. Spate irrigation from road runoff
In this presentation, Erik Nissen Petersen explains how roads run-off can be used for spate irrigation. He gives an overview of many different ways such as (a) in-situ storage for crops, (b) in-situ storage for wood lots, (c) flood irrigation for crops, (d) diversion of road run-off to farmlands etc. Finally, he gives some examples in Kenya where road-run-off has succesfully been used for irrigation!
10. Roads and floods
In this video recording, Frank van Steenbergen presents the interactions between roads and floods. He focuses on roads in flood plains by picking some representative examples from all over the world. Frank also discusses the impact of roads in flood plains and suggests what kind of strategies can be adopted to ensure flood control.
11. Estimating runoff in road catchments
In this presentation, Ian Neal shows different methods of estimating road run-off which is described in the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) design manual.
12. Landslide related road failures in Ethiopia
In this video, Kifle Woldearegay from Mekelle University presents landslide related road failures in Ethiopia. Kifle explains the types and failure mechanisms of landslides, the effects of landslides and the effort made to mitigate landslides. He concludes that in order to reduce such road/landscape failures, more study needs to be done and more integration or roads and water sectors in various levels (design, planning, implementation, maintenance).