Flood risk inevitability and flood risk management in urban areas: A review

The increasing probability of flood risk in terms of its magnitude and frequency in urban areas prompted man to act for flood mitigation measures. Various flood risk control measures were carried out in different parts of the world but flood events persisted. This paper assessed the main causes of flood risk in urban areas and the various flood risk management measures for flood control so as to come out with a sustainable flood risk mitigation measures for urban areas. Related theories and empirical studies were reviewed as a method to acquire relevant information for analyzing the factors of flood risk and the trend in flood risk mitigation measures. The result points out the inability of both structural and non-structural measures to completely stop flood occurrences. Hence, an integration of the current measures and a partial systematic conversion of land use to its natural state can sustainably reduce flood risk in urban places. Key words: Flood risk, flood risk management, urban areas, flood mitigation.