Flood risk assessment and regional detailed spatial planning in Lagos State: A remote sensing perspective

Background: Lagos State, Nigeria, is increasingly confronting flooding as an aftermath of hasty urbanization, climate change, and inefficiency in land-use planning. This paper formally reviewed remote sensing technology application in flood hazard analysis and incorporating it into the Regional Detailed Spatial Planning (RDTR) framework. Methods: A systematic search of 40 peer-reviewed articles (2000–2023) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to identify and analyze trends and patterns. Remote sensing technologies, including optical images and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), were used to monitor flood dynamics, evaluate vulnerability, and identify flood zones in near real-time. Indicators such as rainfall intensity, elevation, land use, and population density were also assessed. Findings: Although remote sensing provides actionable data for zoning and infrastructure planning in flood-prone areas, its application to RDTR planning is limited by insufficient high-resolution data, technical limitations, and stakeholders' coordination problems. The study also highlights the critical role of geospatial innovations in improving flood resilience and urban planning. Conclusion: Improved data access, technical capacity building, and multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential to address current limitations. Novelty/Originality of this article: This research bridges the gap between flood hazard mapping technologies and detailed spatial planning frameworks. It provides a framework that can guide policymakers and urban planners in Lagos and similar contexts toward sustainable flood risk management and urban development.