Urban Flood Risk Assessment and Management

Dear Colleagues,

Floods are among the most frequent and devastating natural disasters, accounting for 44% of all disaster events worldwide and affecting 1.6 billion people between 2000 and 2019. Rapid urbanization is intensifying this challenge. Today, more people live in cities than in rural areas, and by 2050, an estimated 70% of the global population will be urban residents. As cities expand—often without adequate planning, infrastructure, or sustainable development practices, particularly in developing regions—drainage systems and urban infrastructure face mounting stress.

Climate change further compounds these issues. Increasingly frequent and intense rainfall events, combined with growing areas of impervious surfaces and aging drainage systems, are elevating peak discharges and overwhelming urban infrastructure. The pace of drainage system improvements often lags behind urban growth, heightening the vulnerability of densely populated areas to flooding. Consequently, urban floods now represent one of the most widespread and damaging hazards for cities worldwide, threatening lives, assets, and economic activities. To address these challenges, city leaders and municipal agencies must adopt forward-looking strategies, integrating climate adaptation and sustainable, risk-informed investments into urban planning.

This Special Issue seeks contributions that advance understanding and practice in the assessment and management of urban flood risk in the context of climate change and socioeconomic development. We welcome the following:

• Original research on integrated urban flood assessments,
• Innovative approaches to urban flood risk management,
• Case studies and recent experiences from diverse contexts, and
• Comprehensive reviews synthesizing current knowledge and future directions.

By sharing contemporary insights and innovative solutions, we aim to contribute to shaping more resilient and sustainable urban futures.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Prof. Dr. Matjaž Mikoš
Guest Editor

Dr. Damir Bekić
Guest Editor Assistant

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