Are we really applying a systems approach to Natural Flood Management?

A systems approach views an issue as part of a larger, interconnected whole rather than one component in isolation. The approach focuses on the relationships, patterns, and feedback loops among a system's individual parts to anticipate unintended consequences and find lasting solutions. The term ‘Natural Flood Management’ (NFM) entered our lexicon in the early 2000s to articulate the concept of enhancing the environment to reduce flood risk and to signal a shift away from ‘hard’ engineering solutions.

In this webinar, the current appetite for promoting and implementing NFM is examined through a systems-thinking lens. The hypothesis that our current approach to NFM embraces systems thinking is interrogated through the use of real and conceptual examples from the UK and the conclusions examine whether more environmentally sustainable outcomes could be delivered.

Header image credit: © Alan Smithers via Adobe Stock