Re-naturing cities: reducing flood risk through nature-based solutions

Abstract

ABSTRACTClimate change is already reshaping the environments within which we live. From regional impacts, such as increased frequency, severity and duration of extreme weather events in the form of wildfires and hurricanes, to localised events in the form of riverine flooding and coastal storm surges, different disciplinary professionals all recognise that adaptation to a warming planet needs urgent attention and action. This article examines how emerging scholarship around ‘re-naturing cities’ could support societal transformation in the face of uncertain futures. The first section discusses the concept of ‘flood risk management’ (FRM) from its emergence from (and beyond) flood prevention strategy principles, and examines the reasons why FRM's current approach only goes so far in supporting adaptation strategies. The second section explores the rationale behind re-naturing cities, particularly in light of global urbanisation, to interrogate how using green infrastructure (GI) and nature-based solutions (NBS) can enrich the FRM discourse's ‘toolbox’ to help reduce flood risk – both for city dwellers and those living and working in periurban and hinterland environments. Using case studies of strategies for re-naturing cities around the world that directly address flood risk, including arboreal avenues, pocket parks, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and reconstructed urban wetlands, the article concludes with a brief reflection on how feasible, equitable and sustainable the re-naturing cities approach might be for our current and future global citizens.