Rapid Expansion of Human Settlements into Flood Zones Increases Disaster Vulnerability
Global evidence of rapid urban growth in flood zones since 1985
This study reveals that human settlements worldwide, from small villages to large cities, have been rapidly expanding into areas prone to flooding since 1985. This expansion is happening more quickly in high-risk flood zones compared to safer areas, particularly in East Asia. These findings highlight that, despite increasing disaster risks due to climate change, many regions continue to increase their vulnerability to flooding rather than adapting to mitigate these risks.
Rentschler, J., Avner, P., Marconcini, M. et al. Global evidence of rapid urban growth in flood zones since 1985. Nature 622, 87–92 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06468-9
