How does urbanisation cause flooding?

Question

it has to do with geography

Answer 1

Urbanization levels the topography...there are no natural breakwalls, or hills/peaks/valleys to hold back/retain the water.  Also...there is no longer any soil to 'soak up' the water because everything is concrete.

Answer 2

less interception water gets to rivers quicker so they swell up more.  Also ask yourself the question would flooding be a problem if no one lived by the flooded area.

Answer 3

As  understand it, rain seeps down through the soil.  If every inch is concreted, as in urban areas where even the front and back gardens are often concreted or tarmacked over, then there is nowhere for the water to drain, so it stays on the surface. Really heavy downpours can result in flooding.

Answer 4

As more people move in, more buildings are made to accomdate them. This flattens the land and puts inpermiable concrete etc over the soil along with removing any vegitation.

So now there is no soil to soak up water, no vegitation to absorb water so there is an increase in surface run off which flows into a nearby river which increases the risk of the river overflowing its banks and causing a flood.

Answer 5

More people move to the city; more houses are built on floodplains.

You could also go on about climate change and how there is more rain, causing banks to burst.