Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change
Unveiling the Barriers and Drivers of Mainstreaming Nature‐Based Solutions for Urban Flood Resilience
2025-11-06
Cities worldwide are grappling with increasingly complex challenges in managing urban flood risk stemming from rapid urbanization exacerbated by climate change impacts. Traditional gray infrastructure has limitations in effectively managing the growing frequency and severity of urban floods, particularly during extreme events. Nature‐based Solutions (NbS) that utilize natural processes and ecosystems to enhance urban flood resilience and provide multiple benefits to society and the economy have emerged as a promising alternative and supplement. However, the mainstream adoption of NbS is driven by various factors and faces numerous barriers, creating a complex landscape that demands thorough investigation. This research provides a systematic review of the existing literature on key barriers and drivers shaping the widespread adoption of NbS in urban flood resilience strategies. The literature reveals that while certain drivers can facilitate NbS adoption, there are also major knowledge, awareness, and technology; physical; governance and institutional; and social and cultural barriers, hindering their mainstream integration into the existing framework. This paper provides crucial insights for future urban planning and climate adaptation initiatives seeking to enhance flood resilience amid the challenges posed by climate change. Additionally, the study uncovers potential avenues for future research, emphasizing the development of strategies to overcome barriers and promoting the widespread implementation of NbS as a flood adaptation strategy. This article is categorized under: Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies Climate and Development > Urbanization, Development, and Climate Change Policy and Governance > Governing Climate Change in Communities, Cities, and Regions