ANDRITZ Environment & Energy
Managing urban flood risks:
Building cities resilient to climate change
Flooding is increasingly recognized as one of the most pressing challenges for modern cities. Today, an estimated 1.81 billion people live in areas exposed to significant flood risk, representing nearly a quarter of the world’s population. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable, with population exposure projected to reach 800 million by 2050. Climate change is accelerating this trend. This is because warmer air holds more moisture, which means heavier rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events. Each additional degree Celsius of warming increases the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere by about seven percent. This fuels storms that overwhelm drainage systems and inundate cities.
At the same time, rapid urbanization is compounding the problem. Just over half the world’s population now live in cities and urban growth often replaces natural landscapes with impermeable surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. This prevents water absorption, leaving stormwater with nowhere to go except into streets, basements, and critical infrastructure.
Urban vulnerability: What happens when cities go underwater
The economic consequences are significant. Floods are among the costliest natural disasters worldwide. In 2022, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan caused an estimated EUR 26 billion in economic losses, reversing years of development progress. In Europe, major flood events over the past 30 years have affected 5.5 million people and resulted in economic losses of more than EUR 170 billion. Climate-related disasters overall have surged five-fold over the past 50 years, with floods among the most frequent and destructive events. For cities striving to be hubs of innovation and growth, flooding is not just an environmental challenge – it is a strategic risk to resilience and quality of life.
Urban areas are particularly vulnerable because they concentrate on people, assets, and essential infrastructure. When floodwater rises, the ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate damage. Businesses shut down, supply chains stall, and economic activity slows. Public health risks escalate as contaminated water and sewage overflow into neighborhoods. Social impacts are profound, with families displaced and communities facing long recovery periods. In short, flooding disrupts the very systems that make cities thrive.
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Building resilient cities: Integrated solutions for a changing climate
Addressing this challenge requires more than incremental improvements. It calls for a comprehensive approach to urban resilience that combines planning, technology, and innovation. Cities must embrace integrated flood management strategies that go beyond traditional drainage systems. Green infrastructure such as permeable pavements, retention basins, and urban wetlands can help absorb excess water, while advanced engineering solutions ensure that critical systems remain operational during extreme events.
Upgrading sewer networks and installing high-capacity pumping stations is essential. These pumps serve as the last line of defense, moving massive volumes of water quickly and reliably when storms hit. Digital intelligence adds another layer of protection. Smart monitoring and predictive maintenance transform flood control from a reactive process into a proactive one, enabling operators to anticipate surges and optimize performance before disaster strikes.
At the heart of this transformation lies the ability to move water efficiently and at scale. ANDRITZ pumping solutions are designed for precisely this purpose. Our pumps combine high capacity with energy efficiency and robust reliability, ensuring that cities can withstand even the most extreme conditions. Beyond hardware, we offer automation solutions that provide real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities. These tools give operators the confidence to act decisively when every second counts, safeguarding communities and infrastructure.
Flooding is a growing challenge, but it is one that can be managed with the right strategies and technologies. ANDRITZ is proud to support cities in building resilience and safeguarding their future. As climate change accelerates and urbanization continues, preparation and innovation will be key to ensuring that urban areas remain safe, sustainable, and livable for generations to come.
