What are Crucial Issues in Promoting an Integrated Approach for Flood Risk Management in Urban Areas?

Abstract

Flooding has become a serious issue in rapidly urbanizing countries. It is widely recognized that flood damages in urban areas can be decreased by taking an integrated risk management approach. This approach, however, has not been realized easily in major cities in Asia. The purpose of this paper is to examine the crucial issues in adopting the integrated approach to developing countries. It reviews Japanese experience and lessons of managing urban flood risks, and compares these lessons with situations in developing countries. It was found that establishing coordination mechanisms among a wide range of sectors is a crucial challenge. Furthermore, the paper proposes practical methods of promoting the integrated approach for urban flood risk management in developing countries.