Flooding is a global phenomenon that each year claims around 25,000 lives worldwide. Additionally, many more people must endure the homelessness, disease and crop failures that are left in the wake of the floods. The increased frequency of flooding in the last ten years, coupled with climate change predictions and urban development, suggest that these statistics are set to worsen in future. Apart from the physical damage to buildings, contents and loss of life, which are the most obvious impacts of floods upon households, other more indirect losses, are often overlooked. These intangible impacts are generally associated with disruption to normal life as well as longer-term health issues including stress-related illness.

This volume contains the scientific papers presented at the inaugural International Conference on Flood Recovery Innovation and Response ( FRIAR ), held at the headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineers in London, UK, July 2-3, 2008. The conference aims to bring together engineers, scientists and other professionals from all countries, involved in research and development activities in a wide range of technical and management topics related to flooding and its devastating effects. The scientific topics presented the conference included: Flood Risk Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment; Flood Risk Management; Flood Defence Methods; Rehabilitation and Restoration; Urban Flood Management - Innovation in Building Resilience; Coping Strategies; Financial and Insuring Issues.