GloUrb addresses the issue of floodplain urbanisation at global scale since the 1980s based on an interdisciplinary and integrated approach. Floodplains are amongst the most threatened and vulnerable ecosystems, but vital for human society . GloUrb builds on the need for global references to support understanding of floodplain urbanisation processes and their socio-ecosystem consequences (biodiversity, flood risk, urban resilience, environmental justice); explain such trends and distinguish between local and global scale drivers; inform and increase the public awareness; monitor to prevent threats and manage future changes. GloUrb will use existing local and global information, web data mining, remote sensing and innovative signal analysis techniques. We will inform people on urbanisation processes to support sustainable, integrated and adaptive management, developing a global online information system with a monitoring interface showing urbanisation trends and targeting potential threats.