Creating transformational change in flood resilience strategies

Flood hazards are increasing as a result of climate change and growing urbanization. Research has shown that people who are socially vulnerable are more exposed to flood risk. Flood disadvantage that exists today is projected to continue in the future: it is stubborn. We present a bold new research agenda for exploring how different physical, social, institutional, and natural resources interact in urban areas to influence social opportunities over time. These interactions must be modeled to understand how the flood-affected area is degraded, in terms of the functions it provides, as a result of varying levels and frequency of flood exposure. Nesting flood exposure within a wider functional view of urban environments enables a place-based, systems approach to resilience. It reveals the underlying mechanisms—and potential remediations—for spatial inequalities. In doing so resilience strategies can be designed to transform the current trajectory of stubborn disadvantage to flooding.