SECURE-NBS: A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Nature-Based Flood Risk Reduction

Authors

• Sina Razzaghi Asl, Old Dominion UniversityFollow
• Eric Tate, Princeton University
• Hamil Pearsall, Temple University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

DOI

10.1016/j.landurbplan.2026.105637

Publication Title

Landscape and Urban Planning

Volume

271

Pages

105637

Abstract

Nature-based solutions are increasingly promoted for flood risk reduction. Yet, existing studies lack a unifying framework capable of explaining how spatial structure, scale, equity, governance, and socio-ecological feedback jointly shape nature-based solutions performance. This paper introduces the SECURE-NBS framework—Scalable and Equitable Conceptual Understanding for Risk Evaluation through nature-based solutions— a novel conceptual approach that integrates the key features and aspects of nature-based solutions that reshape flood risk. SECURE-NBS conceptualizes nature-based solutions outcomes as co-produced socio-ecological processes in which benefits and trade-offs interact dynamically across spatial and temporal scales. By embedding equity as a structural determinant of vulnerability and treating scale as a relational property, the framework highlights how nature-based solutions can reduce, redistribute, or reproduce flood risk under different conditions. The framework advances flood risk scholarship by moving beyond linear cause–effect reasoning toward a dynamic, feedback-based understanding of nature-based solution performance. SECURE-NBS provides a scalable foundation for comparative empirical research, spatial modeling, policy evaluation, and adaptive planning in urban, coastal, and watershed flood risk assessment and planning.

Rights

Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All Rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

ORCID

0000-0003-1656-8912 (Razzaghi Asl)

Original Publication Citation

Asl, S. R., Tate, E., & Pearsall, H. (2026). SECURE-NBS: A conceptual framework for integrated nature-based flood risk reduction. Landscape and Urban Planning, 271, 105637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2026.105637.

Repository Citation

Asl, Sina Razzaghi; Tate, Eric; and Pearsall, Hamil, "SECURE-NBS: A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Nature-Based Flood Risk Reduction" (2026). Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications. 94.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/politicalscience_geography_pubs/94