Cities and flooding: a guide to integrated urban flood risk management for the 21st century

Urban flooding poses a serious challenge to global development and the livelihoods of urban populations, particularly the residents of the rapidly expanding towns and cities in developing countries. Responding to this challenge requires efforts to improve policy makers understanding and ability to effectively manage existing and future risks. This guidebook provides operational guidance on how to manage the risk of floods in a transforming urban environment and climate. It argues for a strategic approach to managing flood risk, in which appropriate measures are identified, assessed, selected and integrated in a process that both involves and informs the full range of stakeholders. The guide presents 12 key principles for integrated urban flood risk management, illustrating key policy messages with over 50 case studies on management measures and procedures from across the world.