# Flooding Conceptual Review: Sustainability-Focalized Best Practices in Nigeria
## 6 Discussion: Flood Control and Management
### International Flood Management Practices: Sustainable Flood Prevention, Protection and Mitigation  
A number of principles and approaches from an international perspective reinforce the connection between flood prevention, protection and mitigation. A brief internationalized state-of-the-art of flood management practices puts into perspective flood strategies that integratively promotes coordinated development and management of actions regarding water, land and related resources. From this viewpoint, such practices consider different kinds of flooding (i.e., hydrological circumstances) and environmentally-localized conditions that contribute to the problem. Flood management practices from around the world are briefly examined and commented upon from a Nigerian backdrop. In accordance with the Water Directors of the European Union (EU), the EU Floods Directive 2007/60/EC and the United Nations and Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) Guidelines on Sustainable Flood Prevention eight notable practices are described: (1) integrated river basin approach; (2) public awareness, public participation and insurance; (3) research, education and exchange of knowledge; (4) retention of water and non-structural measures; (5) land use, zoning and risk assessment; (6) structural measures and their impact; (7) flood emergency; and (8) prevention of pollution [60]. There has been a number of European-centric working groups which have expanded upon the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC and EU Floods Directive 2007/60/EC that focus on flood risk management information-based systems. Key deliverance has focused on securing basic resource needs for better integration and coherent management approaches for natural water retention methods, improved ecosystem quality and reduced, overall, continent-wide flooding [61]. At present, authorities throughout Nigeria significantly lack utility in all eight of these practices. From a European standpoint, the country insufficiently conducts background controls and has limited pathways for extensive implementation. In the USA, flood management practices are predominantly updated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); at present, FEMA has 56 legislative floodplain management publications, with its NFIP Floodplain Management Guidebook 5 th Edition stating six practices that make up the management scheme: (1) floodplain management concepts; (2) mapping and map revisions; (3) the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); (4) floodplain management at the local level; (5) NFIP floodplain development standards; and (6) flood hazard mitigation [62]. In addition, ongoing reports included FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System: A Local Official's Guide to Saving Lives, Preventing Property Damage, and Reducing the Cost of Flood Insurance FEMA B 573/2018 highlight flood mapping and regulations, damage reduction and preparedness [63]. Nigeria's authorities have published a very limited number of government reports and publications, with a very limited amount of conceptual management, mapping and, basically, no proper insurance-oriented program. American management practices within Nigeria would be beneficial however not feasible due to the expensive nature of implementing such a scheme. In Canada, recent flood management practices prioritized three flood risk management initiatives: (1) data and shared understanding; (2) homeowner and education awareness; and (3) proactive cross sector collaboration [64]. In Australia, the national publication entitled Managing the Floodplain: A Guide to Best Practices in Flood Risk Management in Australia extensively references 58 manuals and handbooks specific to Australia's environment [65].