Project Description
Urban areas in the Mekong region face increasing water management challenges due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, and climate change. These pressures are compounded by social and gender inequalities that leave certain groups more vulnerable to flooding and other hazards. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a flexible, cost-effective alternative to conventional infrastructure, delivering multiple environmental, economic, and social co-benefits. This project aimed to demonstrate the value of NbS for addressing urban flood risks in Thailand and Vietnam, while building the economic case for their broader application across the region.
Objectives, Activities, and Results
The project developed and tested a practical guide and tools for the economic valuation of Integrated Urban Flood Management (IUFM) solutions, with a focus on NbS in urban contexts. Four case studies—two each in Thailand and Vietnam—demonstrated how NbS could reduce flood risk while supporting climate resilience, community wellbeing, and urban sustainability. The team conducted comprehensive capacity-building for national stakeholders, including policymakers and infrastructure planners, to support the identification, design, financing, and implementation of NbS. The results provided robust economic comparisons between NbS and traditional infrastructure, helping to promote evidence-based planning and encourage scalable adoption of NbS across the Mekong region.
