Publication
Multiple criteria-based assessment of Nature-based Solutions for flood management: A systematic review
In this article, scholars review how Nature-based Solutions for flood management are assessed. They identify key objectives and evaluation criteria to support a more transparent, evidence-based decision-making process and strengthen climate resilience.
- Author
- Lorette Gallois, Elisabeth Hirtz, Marc van den Homberg, Jeewanthi Sirisena, Shreya Mozumdar, Marco Cinelli
- Date
- 20 January 2026
- Links
- View the article
This systematic review examines how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for flood management are evaluated across different contexts and identifies ways to improve decision-making. Drawing on 132 case studies, the authors develop a comprehensive assessment framework covering 62 objectives and 327 evaluation criteria across four domains: environmental health, social and cultural values, human well-being and livelihoods, and disaster risk reduction.
The study finds that current approaches often lack consistency and clear guidance for selecting appropriate assessment criteria. By linking stakeholder priorities to measurable indicators, the proposed framework supports more transparent, evidence-based planning and helps policymakers and practitioners maximise the benefits of NbS for flood resilience and climate adaptation.