Effective flood risk mitigation requires the impacts of flood events to be much better and more reliably known than is currently the case. Available post-flood damage assessments usually supply only a partial vision of the consequences of the floods as they typically respond to the specific needs of a particular stakeholder. Consequently, they generally focus (i) on particular items at risk, (ii) on a certain time window after the occurrence of the flood, (iii) on a specific scale of analysis or (iv) on the analysis of damage only, without an investigation of damage mechanisms and root causes. This paper responds to the necessity of a more integrated interpretation of flood events as the base to address the variety of needs arising after a disaster. In particular, a model is supplied to develop multipurpose complete event scenarios. The model organizes available information after the event according to five logical axes. This way post-flood damage assessments can be developed that (i) are multisectoral, (ii) consider physical as well as functional and systemic damage, (iii) address the spatial scales that are relevant for the event at stake depending on the type of damage that has to be analyzed, i.e., direct, functional and systemic, (iv) consider the temporal evolution of damage and finally (v) allow damage mechanisms and root causes to be understood. All the above features are key for the multi-usability of resulting flood scenarios. The model allows, on the one hand, the rationalization of efforts currently implemented in ex post damage assessments, also with the objective of better programming financial resources that will be needed for these types of events in the future. On the other hand, integrated interpretations of flood events are fundamental to adapting and optimizing flood mitigation strategies on the basis of thorough forensic investigation of each event, as corroborated by the implementation of the model in a case study.

In recent years, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have become instrumental in restoring ecosystems and reducing the negative effects of hard surface developments. Existing studies have shown the potential of NBS in mitigating urban floods and reducing overall hydrogeological risks, especially in high-income areas. However, there is limited knowledge on area-specific NBS implementation and the locational suitability of areas to support different NBS for urban flood mitigation in medium to low-income regions. A methodology based on Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis (SMCA) has the potential to spatially combine and synthesize information to elicit spatially-specific opportunities for NBS implementation. However, an SMCA tool to determine suitable locations for different NBS measures for urban flood mitigation does not yet exist. In order to address this research gap, this study developed an SMCA methodology to identify different target areas where specific urban flood-related NBS measures can be implemented to minimize urban flood occurrence in Accra, Ghana. The study revealed different locations where urban flood-related NBS measures could be applied. It also demonstrated how specific NBS measures could be tailored to the characteristics of different areas in Accra to ensure effective urban flood mitigation. The suggested methodological approach provides a spatial knowledge base for flood management institutions to integrate NBS into flood management schemes. The approach has application potential for other geographic contexts facing urban flood risks. Future research could focus on possible ways of integrating NBS into the spatial development of cities.

Rangpur city is one of the emerging cities in Bangladesh. In 2012, this city upgraded from municipality to city corporation. On the one hand, the city population started to increase; on the other hand, vulnerability to earthquake and fire hazards are increased due to rapid urbanization. Therefore, we investigate the risk perception of earthquake and fire hazards in Rangpur. The purpose of this study is fourfold: (i) to assess the risk perception of earthquake hazards and fire hazards at the household level; (ii) to investigate the influence of demographic and socio-economic factors on the risk perception of each hazard; (iii) to investigate the preparedness for earthquake and fire hazards; and (iv) to propose planning guidelines and policy interventions for the disaster resilience of the Rangpur city focusing on earthquake and fire hazards. We conducted a questionnaire survey with 558 participants and 9 semi-structured interviews in fifteen electoral wards in Rangpur city. Afterward, we analyzed the data in SPSS and ArcMap platforms. The study results show that socio-demographic indicators such as gender, household ownership type, and residential floor are likely to influence citizens' risk perception. We also find that the spatial distribution of risk perception of both hazards is diversified at the electoral ward level. At the same time, we observe that the level of preparedness for both hazards is not satisfactory. Based on the study findings, we recommend a few planning guidelines and policy interventions for disaster resilience in Rangpur city.