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G20 DRR Hackathon Microsite for Policy Makers

Repurpose land for flood mitigation and adaptation

Disclaimer: This content is for example purposes only, created during the G20 DRR Hackathon by Team MapleByte. A full disclaimer is provided in the footer.

Some land is too risky for permanent settlement but can be used to absorb floodwaters or serve as adaptive infrastructure. Repurposing such areas can reduce exposure while providing co-benefits for communities.

This is important because unplanned urban expansion often increases flood vulnerability. Proactive land use planning enables governments to reduce risk while creating social or ecological value.

How to Put This Into Practice

  • Designate floodplains as parks, gardens, or water retention areas.
  • Use zoning laws to prevent new settlements in high-risk areas.
  • Compensate or relocate households where necessary to repurpose land.
  • Incorporate community participation in land-use decisions.

Example

In Curitiba, Brazil, the city converted flood-prone land into public parks and artificial lakes. This reduced flood risk while enhancing recreation and urban biodiversity.