D. Alfian, E. Meilianda, A. Achmad, M. Syukri
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Flood management in low-lying coastal and peatland regions is not only a technical challenge but also a governance issue. While there have been significant advancements in hydrodynamic modeling and geographic information system-based multi-criteria analysis that aid in identifying flood-prone areas, these findings often fail to connect with the institutional realities that affect the execution of interventions. In decentralized systems, fragmented mandates, limited fiscal capacity, and uneven technical resources frequently constrain effective action. The study objectives were to propose a comprehensive decision-support framework to bridge spatial flood risk assessment with governance-sensitive implementation sequencing in coastal systems vulnerable to climate change. METHODS: Aceh Singkil District, Indonesia, a compound riverine-tidal floodplain characterized by extensive peatlands, was selected as the case study. Multi-return-period (2–50 year) hydrodynamic simulations were used to quantify spatial variations in flood depth and duration. These hazard layers were combined with exposure and vulnerability indicators using spatial multi-criteria evaluation and the analytic hierarchy process, utilizing weights derived from stakeholders. In order to transcend static prioritization, an implementation readiness index was created to evaluate technical feasibility and institutional capacity. Interventions were then organised into phased short-, medium-, and long-term pathways. FINDINGS: The results indicate that the highest flood risk is concentrated in coastal and peatland settlements where inundation depth and duration are prolonged. Nonetheless, a distinct spatial discrepancy arises between the intensity of hazards and the preparedness of governance. Several high-risk sub-districts demonstrate limited capacity for immediate large-scale intervention, while some moderate-risk areas exhibit higher readiness due to more stable institutional and infrastructural conditions. By combining structural measures and nature-based solutions within a phased framework, the recommended sequencing strategy enhances the alignment of flood intensity with implementation feasibility, thus lowering the risk of delayed or maladaptive responses. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to environmental management by embedding governance capacity within spatial flood risk assessment. By transitioning from a static prioritization model to a sequencing-based strategy, the framework connects where interventions are needed with when they can be realistically implemented. The readiness-based sequencing model provides a transferable framework for decentralized and climate-vulnerable regions to convert scientific risk assessments into adaptive, executable, and contextually relevant policies. © 2026 The author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
School of Engineering of Postgraduate School of Syiah Kuala University, TDMRC Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jl. Hamzah Fansuri No. 8, Kopelma Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala / TDMRC Universitas Syia Kuala, Jl. Hamzah Fansuri No. 8, Kopelma Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Architecture and Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Geophysics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
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