Recently, urban floods have become more frequent and severe worldwide. It is exacerbated by rapid urbanization, extreme rainfall variations, and inadequate drainage systems. This trend poses significant threats to life, property, and ecosystems. Therefore, it requires widespread adoption of low impact development (LID) strategies. However, this systematic review examines the efficacy, challenges, and prospects of LID approaches in mitigating urban flood hazards intensified by climate change. It synthesizes findings from 96 peer-reviewed studies, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The analysis reveals that LID strategies reduce flood peaks with environmental benefits and sustainable urban development. Quantitative analysis shows LID techniques minimize peak runoff with an average of 42 % (range: 15–75 %) and runoff volume by 34 % (range: 10–75 %) across diverse climatic regions. It demonstrates the efficiency of LID for reducing flood frequency, peaks, and runoff. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps necessitating further LID adaptation and effectiveness research. The implications of the present study emphasize the urgent need for integrated urban planning incorporating LID as a fundamental component of climate resilience strategies. Policymakers and urban designers are inspired to prioritize LID in infrastructure development to enhance flood mitigation efforts and promote sustainable urban environments.