Urban flooding represents a critical development challenge worldwide. Currently, hundreds of millions of people, particularly in vulnerable communities, face increasing risks from flooding events. These floods can have severe consequences, including contamination of water sources, spread of waterborne diseases, significant economic disruption, and property damage from water, debris, and sediment. Most critically, flooding events continue to endanger human lives across the globe.
The causes and impacts of urban flooding are evolving rapidly. Urban development pressures have led to expansion into flood-prone areas, both riverine and coastal, often in violation of zoning regulations and disrupting natural drainage patterns. This situation is further exacerbated by rapid urbanization, population growth, and the impacts of climate change. These combined factors are not only altering flood patterns but also amplifying their negative impacts on communities.
In the seventh Cities on the Frontline session of 2024, “Urban Flood Resilience: Tackling Flood Risk and Inequality in Cities”, Resilient Cities Network and the GFDRR and World Bank Group City Resilience Program convened experts that showcased innovative approaches to flood risk management. Panelists Ana Garcia Campos, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank; Dr. Clemens Neuhold, Deputy Director of the Division Flood Risk Management at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management; and Eng. Humphrey Kanyenye, Manager of Urban Roads and Project Coordinator for the Msimbazi Basin Development Project at the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), shared insights on their respective roles in efforts to adapt to the challenges of urban flooding, while emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable flood resilience strategies.
Ana Garcia Campos began the session by highlighting the widespread exposure to flood risk globally, noting that floods account for over $1 trillion in cumulative economic losses in recent decades and affect over 25% of the population worldwide. She shared that the rapid pace of urbanization has placed millions in high-risk areas, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and emphasized the importance of understanding flood typologies to design effective interventions. Ana stressed the necessity of combining structural and non-structural solutions, such as green infrastructure, robust land-use planning, and flood risk assessments that inform strategic urban growth. The World Bank’s approach, Ana says, focuses on integrating flood risk management into urban planning and investment to ensure sustainable, long-term resilience. Finally, she noted the importance of community engagement and stakeholder alignment in developing effective flood resilience strategies that account for the needs of vulnerable populations.
Following Ana’s presentation, Dr. Clemens Neuhold shared insights from Austria’s approach to flood risk management, sharing how Austria has evolved its flood management practices over the century. He described Austria’s transition from structural flood protection to a more integrated flood risk management approach that emphasizes natural retention and restoration projects. Dr. Clemens discussed recent flood events in Vienna, where the city’s comprehensive flood protection systems, including the innovative Danube Island, successfully mitigated damage from extreme flood events. He emphasized that Austria prioritizes multi-benefit solutions, integrating flood resilience with environmental, recreational, and biodiversity goals. Finally, Dr. Clemens highlighted Austria’s focus on intersectoral collaboration across spatial planning, building regulation, and emergency management to enhance urban resilience.
Eng. Humphrey Kanyenye concluded the session with a presentation on Tanzania’s ambitious Msimbazi River Basin Development Project in Dar es Salaam. He outlined the city’s frequent flood challenges, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure. To address these issues, the project—backed by international funding—will include floodplain restoration, watershed management, and the development of a flood-resilient city park. Humphrey noted the transformative vision of converting flood-prone areas into spaces for social and economic opportunity, such as mixed-use riverfront developments and public parks. He also underscored the importance of sustainable project management, including establishing an institutional framework to ensure long-term maintenance and community engagement in the management of flood risks. The project exemplifies Tanzania’s commitment to resilient urban planning that balances flood risk mitigation with community and environmental benefits.
In conclusion, this session highlighted the critical need for cities to adopt comprehensive and inclusive flood resilience strategies. Through detailed presentations, speakers shared valuable insights into how cities across different continents are leveraging a mix of structural and nature-based solutions to tackle growing flood risks. The session demonstrated that while infrastructure and technological solutions are vital, flood resilience ultimately requires an integrated approach involving policy alignment, community engagement, and intersectoral collaboration. The experiences shared offer a roadmap for cities striving to protect their communities from the increasing threat of floods, with an emphasis on creating equitable and resilient urban spaces for all.
Ana Garcia Campos
Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank Group
“The time to act is now, we should work together with national governments, local governments, civil defenses and urban planners to build the resilience cities require.”
Dr. Clemens Neuhold
Deputy Director of the Division Flood Risk Management at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management
“We learned from recent flood events that retention, restoration, and nature-based solutions are of highest priority because not only is flood protection covered, but they also develop multi benefits with respect to environmental goals, recreation, and biodiversity.”
Eng. Humphrey N. Kanyenye
Manager of Urban Roads and Project Coordinator for the Msimbazi Basin Development Project at the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA)
“The objective of this project is to mitigate the flood risk that has been occurring in the area and also, we are looking at changing this area from being a hazardous area into both an economic and social opportunity zone.”
Ming Zhang (Co-host)
Global Director, Urban, Resilience and Land Global Department, World Bank Group
Lynette Lim (Co-host)
Global Director, Communications & Knowledge, R-Cities
