Solutions For Urban Flood Management

Flooding is one of the most universal – and destructive – challenges facing cities around the world. World Bank research suggests that floods are the most frequent of all natural disasters and that the number of flood events is rising rapidly. In 2010 alone, 178 million people were affected by floods, with losses exceeding $40 billion.

When it comes to managing flood risk, there is no substitute for effective urban planning and strong community engagement. But there is also an important role for technology and the private sector. Private companies are important partners that can bring new approaches, know-how, and “surge capacity” to help cities anticipate and address the complex realities of urban flooding. Xylem’s innovative technologies and business models help cities minimize and recover from flood losses by supporting early warning systems, 24/7 disaster response, and resilience planning for the future.