Introduction

Abstract

Managing flood risk instead of ‘controlling floods’ is a key change in approach for managing floods and floodplains. In the context of floods, hazard refers to the magnitude or height of a given flood and its probability of occurring. Vulnerability refers to the social assets exposed to damage from flooding. Risk combines both hazard and vulnerability. Thus managing flood risk implies making interventions at all points of the flood risk cycle, including not only structural measures to reduce flood magnitude or frequency (reducing hazard) but also land-use planning (to reduce assets exposed), early warning systems, insurance, and acting within the context of multiple objectives. Recent experiences in implementing flood risk management along large floodplain rivers and smaller urban streams in America and Europe manifest a wide range of environmental and institutional settings, and thus opportunities and constraints unique to each setting.