ENGINEERING PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR POPULATED AREAS AGAINST FLOODS AND THEIR OPERATIONAL FEATURES

This article analyzes modern engineering methods for protecting populated areas from flood and flash flood events. The study examines various types of hydraulic structures, their functional mechanisms, and their efficiency in the context of climate change. A comparative analysis of passive and active protection systems is provided, highlighting the technical requirements for ensuring urban safety. The primary focus is placed on the implementation of combined drainage systems in complex, multi-layered hydrogeological conditions. The study details the operational synergy between horizontal drainage networks, which collect moisture from low-permeability upper soil layers, and vertical artesian wells that operate in a self-flowing (artesian) mode to reduce hydraulic pressure in high-permeability lower aquifers. The integration of these elements ensures a comprehensive reduction in groundwater levels, thereby protecting urban infrastructure, buildings, and public recreational zones from the detrimental effects of waterlogging. The findings highlight the efficiency of this integrated approach as a sustainable solution for urban flood mitigation and long-term structural safety.