Sustainable Decision-Making Strategies for Flood Mitigation in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas: A Systematic Literature Review

The confluence of rapid urbanization and climate change is intensifying urban flood risks globally, necessitating a paradigm shift from traditional engineered controls toward more integrated and sustainable mitigation strategies. While extensive research exists on specific flood control technologies, a critical gap remains in the systematic synthesis of the decision-making frameworks that govern their selection and implementation. Through a thematic analysis, we map the evolution from grey infrastructure to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and hybrid approaches; critically compare the primary decision-support tools (MCDM, BCA, SoVI); and identify persistent governance and implementation barriers, particularly in the Global South. Our synthesis reveals that while sophisticated tools are available, their siloed application often leads to economically inefficient or socially unjust outcomes. We argue that effective and sustainable flood risk management is not contingent on a single "best"tool, but on an integrated governance process that strategically combines these frameworks to balance technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental co-benefits, and social equity. This review provides a structured overview of the state-of-the-art and offers a critical analysis of the research gaps - such as the monetization of NBS co-benefits and the operationalization of participatory governance - that must be addressed to build truly resilient cities..