Mitigating Flood Impact in Urbanized Spaces Through Sustainable Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to flooding due to climate change, rapid urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure. Floods disrupt lives, damage property, and strain economies, making mitigation strategies essential. Sustainable approaches—such as green infrastructure, improved drainage systems and flood-resilient urban planning—are critical for long-term protection. 

Traditional flood control methods, such as concrete barriers, often fail to address root causes and may harm ecosystems. In contrast, sustainable strategies harness natural processes to manage water flow. Green roofs, permeable pavements, and urban wetlands absorb rainfall, reducing runoff. Restoring natural floodplains and creating retention basins also enhance resilience while supporting biodiversity. 

Moreover, sustainable flood mitigation aligns with climate adaptation goals, reducing urban heat islands and improving air quality. Community involvement ensures that the solutions are equitable and effective, particularly for vulnerable populations. Investing in these measures now reduces future disaster recovery costs and fosters livable, resilient cities. 

As urbanization and extreme weather intensify, adopting sustainable flood mitigation is not just an option but a necessity for safeguarding communities, economies, and ecosystems. Proactive, nature-based solutions offer a path to safer, more sustainable urban futures.  

Following the above, this issue aims to:

• Advance knowledge on integrating sustainability into flood risk management;     
• Bridge gaps between research, policy, and implementation;
• Highlight scalable, cost-effective solutions that balance urban development and ecological preservation.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:  

1. Nature-based solutions (NBS): Green infrastructure (e.g., rain gardens, urban wetlands), blue-green corridors, and ecosystem-based flood management.
2.  Urban planning and policy: Resilient city design, zoning regulations, and adaptive governance frameworks.
3. Engineering and technology: Smart drainage systems, flood forecasting models, and sustainable water management technologies.
4. Socioeconomic and equity considerations: Community engagement, cost-benefit analyses, and equitable flood risk reduction strategies.
5. Case studies and best practices: Lessons from global cities implementing sustainable flood mitigation.

We hope that this Issue will serve as a key reference for future work on climate-adaptive, people-centered flood mitigation strategies. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Joan Rosselló-Geli
Dr. Francesco De Pascale
Guest Editors

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• floods
• urbanization
• planning
• sustainable cities
• NBS
• SDGs