Overview
Focus BC partnered with the Lisbon City Council to design and implement a flood data catalogue platform powered by City as a Platform, Google Maps and Google Data Studio.
By integrating multiple data sources into a single system, the solution enables real-time monitoring, historical analysis and future flood risk prediction, supporting better decision-making and urban resilience.
This project has made a significant contribution to centralizing and structuring an innovative flood risk prevention database at a local scale. It responds to current climate change challenges and helps redefine technical requirements for a global environmental monitoring network. It is also a step forward in positioning Lisbon as a global, innovative and sustainable city, developed for people and with their involvement.
The Challenge
Due to its geographical location, Lisbon is highly vulnerable to flooding events caused by both intense rainfall and tidal influences.
To effectively mitigate these risks, the municipality needed:
A deep understanding of historical environmental data (precipitation, tides)
The ability to identify cause-effect relationships
A clear view of territorial structure and urban organization
A system capable of integrating diverse data sources
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, making flood prevention and response even more critical.
The Solution
Focus BC implemented a data catalogue platform integrated into City as a Platform, combining:
A centralized data repository
A web-based interactive mapping application
Analytical dashboards for monitoring and insights
The platform aggregates and processes multiple data layers, including:
Meteorological and tidal data
Transport infrastructure
Hydrogeology and environmental data
Urban planning and land use
Buildings and population
Digital terrain models
This integrated approach enables the city to correlate historical data and supports the development of predictive models for flood risk.
Key Capabilities
Centralized integration of multiple data sources
Real-time and historical data visualization
Location intelligence and map-based analysis
Cross-domain insights for urban planning and risk management
Scalable architecture for predictive modeling
Platform in Action
Heat map visualization of flood risk intensity across Lisbon
Interactive maps highlighting vulnerable riverside areas
Layered views of infrastructure, land use and zoning
Dashboards for meteorological and tidal monitoring
Data tables supporting vulnerability classification and analysis
The Results
Intuitive platform accessible to multiple stakeholders
Secure and centralized data repository replacing fragmented systems
Improved data reliability through automated collection
Transparent access to relevant information for analysis and public use
Near real-time data availability across multiple sources
Stronger foundation for predictive flood management
Conclusion
City as a Platform enables Lisbon to better understand, monitor and manage flood risks, strengthening resilience in the face of climate change.
By combining data integration, location intelligence and real-time insights, the city is now equipped to make faster, smarter and more informed decisions.
About the Client
Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with over 500,000 inhabitants across approximately 100 km². Located along the Tagus River and built across seven hills, the city includes 24 parishes and a 15.7 km riverfront.
Lisbon has positioned itself as a leading European city in innovation, sustainability and urban development, with a strong focus on attracting talent, investment and forward-thinking initiatives.