Urbanization is defined as the process of population growth in urban areas, which is accompanied by significant changes in spatial, economic, and social structures. This phenomenon is influenced by various factors, including migration from rural to urban areas, natural population growth, and the intensification of economic activities in urban centers. Nevertheless, the absence of a deliberate and effective urbanization management strategy can engender a multitude of risks. These risks encompass security vulnerabilities, heightened disaster susceptibility, and concomitant social challenges, including poverty. In particular, unplanned and uncontrolled urbanization has been demonstrated to lead to environmental destruction and increase the vulnerability of human communities to disasters. Urbanization practices that are not conducive to health have been demonstrated to engender an increased probability of disaster occurrence. In the contemporary context, where the boundaries of nature are often disregarded and the consequences of climate change and associated disasters are recurrent, the significance of urbanization policies aimed at mitigating disaster risks is further accentuated. The objective of this study is to offer a comprehensive perspective on the aforementioned issue, in accordance with the findings derived from a systematic review of publications across diverse platforms. In this study, it is demonstrated how unplanned urbanization increases disaster risks through environmental degradation, social inequalities, and governance deficiencies, emphasizing that disaster risks stem not only from physical factors but also from the holistic weakening of socio-ecological systems. The model developed in the study systematically explains the mechanisms through which urbanization amplifies disaster risks, as well as holistic strategies for risk reduction, including nature-based solutions, inclusive governance, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.