Introduction

Climate change is a global emergency, and adapting to present and future extreme events is vital. Presently, our cities are not prepared to face the projected exceptional changes in climate, as our infrastructure relies on obsolete and past determinations. The proposed work derives precisely in the face of this concern, specifically upon adaptation action toward one of the most impactful threats, that of urban floods. It will be argued that by specifically introducing public space design in all planning stages of flood management infrastructures, significant and successful progresses in the agenda of urban flood adaptation action are possible. Reassessing and improving established flood management methods, public spaces are faced with a new and enhanced role as mediators for flood adaptation able to integrate infrastructure and communities together in the management of floodwater as an ultimate resource for urban resilience.