Cherwell & West Oxfordshire

United Kingdom

Reapplying flood management NbS, river restoration and community governance structures from RH4 to address flooding and peri-urban pressures in rural Oxfordshire.

About Cherwell & West Oxfordshire

RN5 represents a rural UK region within the county of Oxfordshire influenced by climate pressures such as flooding, changes in land use and proximity to urban development.

With more than 49,000 inhabitants, it requires adaptation strategies that fit a peri-urban rural context.

Climate Context

Key Challenges

Flooding

Increasing frequency and severity of flood events risk livelihoods, property and ecosystems across the region.

Land Use Change

Urban expansion and intensified agriculture are transforming landscape hydrology and increasing runoff risk.

Peri-Urban Pressures

Proximity to growing urban areas creates complex governance, planning and land management challenges.

Rural Adaptation

Balancing farming needs with ecosystem services and climate adaptation in a diverse mixed landscape.

REAPPLICATION FOCUS

Flood NbS & Community Governance

RN5 will reapply knowledge from RH4, focusing on NbS for flood management, river and wetland restoration, community engagement structures and complementary digital tools.

Flood management NbS: Applying field bunds, constructed wetlands and flood retention measures validated at RH4 in a peri-urban context.
River & wetland restoration: Replicating river restoration approaches to enhance water retention, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Community structures: Adapting the governance and stakeholder engagement frameworks developed at RH4 for this local context.
Digital tools: Deploying complementary monitoring and scenario tools to support evidence-based flood risk management decisions.