Urban flood risks: the importance of equity and a systemic approach
Can cities better prepare for flooding? A new study led by ICTA-UAB researcher Svetlana Khromova explores the increasing risks of flooding and drought in Barcelona. The research team employs an innovative approach based on Social-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS), shedding light on the complex interaction between nature, infrastructures, and society that contributes to these risks.
The research, recently published in Ecological Indicators, presents a crucial premise: how can cities address the growing risks of flooding, sewer overflows, and other hydrological risks in the context of climate change? This study, led by researcher Svetlana Khromova, alongside researchers Pablo Herreros Cantis, Gara Villalba Méndez, and Johannes Langemeyer, explores this question through an innovative Social-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS) framework.
Using Barcelona as a case study, the authors demonstrate that social vulnerability plays a central role in shaping water-related risks, disproportionately affecting already disadvantaged communities. At the same time, insights from ecological and technological perspectives offer valuable guidance for designing more effective risk reduction strategies.
The study emphasizes the urgent need to modernize aging urban drainage systems and integrate multifunctional green infrastructure, such as nature-based solutions (NBS), into the city's fabric. However, the lack of access to critical technological data continues to hinder comprehensive risk assessments and adaptive urban planning.
Finally, advocating for a paradigm shift, the paper calls for moving beyond siloed flood management toward integrated, cross-sectoral approaches that reflect the complex interconnections between people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Although centered on Barcelona, the SETS vulnerability framework offers a transferable model for cities worldwide that seek to build climate resilience that is not only effective but also just.
Reference Article:
Khromova, S., Villalba Méndez, G., Eckelman, M.J., Herreros-Cantis, P., & Langemeyer, J. (2025). A Social-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS) vulnerability approach to hydrological risk in urban environments. Ecological Indicators, 153, 113334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113334