Urban flood dilemmas: How European cities growth shapes flood risk and resilience strategies?

Extensive research across European cities underscores the importance of assessing urbanization's impact on flood risk, focusing on river-induced floods and impermeable areas. Using advanced statistical tools, we investigated urban green coverage, Urban Morphological Zones (UMZ), and sealing (imperviousness) levels and effects. Our analysis found that Continuous Urban Fabric (sealed surface >80%) and Discontinuous Dense Urban Fabric (sealed surface 50%-80%) showed negative relationships within river flooding risk. In contrast, arable land (annual crops) showed a positive relationship, highlighting its unique influence. Medical services prone to flooding were prevalent in Spain, Sweden, and Romania, while educational services had the highest distribution in Italy and Latvia. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we developed a model to enhance flood risk management, identifying urban green space as a critical factor. This study has significant implications for urban resilience, surface sealing, and stormwater management, enhancing urban planning and landscape design.