Factors influencing flood risk management integration in U.S. municipal planning: An expert mental model approach

This study examines the integration of flood risk management within U.S. municipal planning. It outlines the development of an expert mental model to map the complex interplay of external pressures, institutional drivers, and individual planner perceptions that shape local resilience strategies. By conducting expert interviews and model analysis, the research identifies critical factors such as power asymmetries between plan developers and decision-makers, the influence of federal funding, and the limitations of technical tools when navigating political and economic priorities like housing and development. The document is intended for urban planners, emergency managers, and policymakers, providing a framework to diagnose and overcome barriers to proactive flood risk reduction in diverse municipal contexts.

The authors offer several recommendations and lessons learned to improve the efficacy of municipal flood resilience. They emphasize that while technical data and hydrological models are foundational, they are often secondary to internal institutional momentum and shared municipal values during the final decision-making phases. The report suggests that municipalities should formalise collaborative processes between departments to mitigate individual biases and address the "implementation gap" where proactive aspirations often revert to reactive measures. Ultimately, the study advocates for a shift towards "flood-conscious planning" that balances technical risk assessments with socio-economic realities, ensuring that long-term climate adaptation is prioritised alongside immediate urban growth objectives.