EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Flood and environmental risk management (FERM) is a new concept recognizing the close connection between managing flood risk and managing risks to the physical environment and biological ecosystems.
The concept aims to address the nexus between flood, waste, and biological ecosystems by applying both structural and nonstructural solutions, and taking into consideration urban−rural and upstream− downstream linkages, in development planning and project implementation. This nexus approach assimilates multisector targets, provides more economical and cost-e·cient development goals, and lessens the risk of applied interventions undermining one another. In other words, FERM promotes spatial (local and river-basin scales), functional, and organizational integration.
Especially important is the fact that FERM also recognizes that other interventions to improve the economic prosperity and social well-being of communities can have an impact on flood risk, the environment, and the sustainability of ecosystems. It is therefore proposed that, during the formulation of a development plan or project with potential impacts on flood risk and on the environment, there should be an…
