scholarly journals Flood-risk vulnerabilities of sanitation facilities in urban informal settlements: Lessons from Kisumu City, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvince Othoo ◽  
Simeon Dulo ◽  
Daniel Olago
Keyword(s):  
Flood Risk ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Probability Of Exceedance ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
Kisumu City ◽  
Physical Infrastructure ◽  
Rcp 8.5 ◽  
Urban Informal Settlements ◽  
Near Future

Flood disasters have increased in frequency and severity over the recent decades causing untold destruction to vulnerable physical infrastructure such as sanitation facilities. Factors including construction quality, design, siting, and users’ behaviour further exacerbate the vulnerability of facilities. Despite this reality, very little has been done to document the extent of flood risk facing such facilities in the pro-poor urban informal settlements in developing countries. This study assessed the flood risks of vulnerable sanitation facilities in the urban informal settlements of Kisumu city, Kenya. The methodology involved assessment of sanitation facilities’ flood vulnerabilities and assessment of flood risk models. Flood risk was assessed by estimating runoff from yearly rainfall totals and also by calculating storm return period and probability of exceedance. Vulnerability assessment for each sanitation facility was done by scoring against flood risk indicators ordered by weighted rank. The study observed that majority sanitation facilities in the urban informal settlements were considered “highly vulnerable” (57%). Flood risk analysis predicted growing vulnerability due to shorter storm return periods, especially under the RCP 8.5 scenario. It was established that over 20% of all rainfall events in the 50-year timeline had a higher than 80% probability of exceedance rainfall, signifying higher storm risks. Additionally, the study showed that between 44% of rainfall received in the study area could translate to runoff, in the near future, further compounding flood risk predictions. With key informal settlements such as Nyalenda and Manyatta facing stronger future flood risks, general public health may be threatened, leading to increased social and economic instability on families and households. The study recommends adherence to improved toilet standards of construction and toilet-raising as methods of improving flood risk resilience and adaptation.

scholarly journals Households’ perception of flood risk and health impact of exposure to flooding in flood-prone informal settlements in the coastal city of Mombasa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 592-606
Author(s):  
Fredrick Okoth Okaka ◽  
Beneah D.O. Odhiambo
Keyword(s):  
Flood Risk ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
The City

Purpose Mombasa City in Kenya is one of the most vulnerable towns to flood risk due to its low-lying coastal location. Those at the highest risk in the city are households living in the flood-prone informal settlements. However, little is known about the perception of these vulnerable households to the flood risks and its health impacts, which is important for developing effective long-term adaptation strategies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the general perception of the residents regarding flood risks, its impact on their health and their adaptation strategies. Design/methodology/approach This study surveyed 390 randomly selected households in three informal settlements in the city of Mombasa using a semi-structured questionnaire. This was supplemented with six focus group discussions (FDGs) and six key informant interviews (KIIs). Findings The majority of respondent households perceive future flooding as high risk or severe with high negative health impact. Despite this, many do not evacuate their homes because they do not have alternative places to move to. Flooding was indicated to have had a negative physical and mental health impact on members of households. Although majority of households had taken some adaptation measures, most of these were short term, mainly due to financial constraints, lack of knowledge and government support. Perception of flood risk and gender were found to have a strong influence on taking long-term adaptation measures at the household level. Practical implications Reducing flood risk and averting its health consequences in flood-prone informal settlements require empowering and supporting those living in these areas with ability to initiate long-term adaptation measures and creating awareness about future risks. Originality/value This study provides evidence about how residents of flood-prone informal settlements perceive flood risk and how the exposures to perennial flooding impact their health. The paper augments existing knowledge of flood risk in poor urban neighborhoods of developing countries.

scholarly journals Projection of Hydro-Climatic Extreme Events under Climate Change in Yom and Nan River Basins, Thailand

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 665
Author(s):  
Chanchai Petpongpan ◽  
Chaiwat Ekkawatpanit ◽  
Supattra Visessri ◽  
Duangrudee Kositgittiwong
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Extreme Floods ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Rcp 8.5 ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Far Future

Due to a continuous increase in global temperature, the climate has been changing without sign of alleviation. An increase in the air temperature has caused changes in the hydrologic cycle, which have been followed by several emergencies of natural extreme events around the world. Thailand is one of the countries that has incurred a huge loss in assets and lives from the extreme flood and drought events, especially in the northern part. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the hydrological regime in the Yom and Nan River basins, affected by climate change as well as the possibility of extreme floods and droughts. The hydrological processes of the study areas were generated via the physically-based hydrological model, namely the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The projected climate conditions were dependent on the outputs of the Global Climate Models (GCMs) as the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5 between 2021 and 2095. Results show that the average air temperature, annual rainfall, and annual runoff will be significantly increased in the intermediate future (2046–2070) onwards, especially under RCP 8.5. According to the Flow Duration Curve and return period of peak discharge, there are fluctuating trends in the occurrence of extreme floods and drought events under RCP 2.6 from the future (2021–2045) to the far future (2071–2095). However, under RCP 8.5, the extreme flood and drought events seem to be more severe. The probability of extreme flood remains constant from the reference period to the near future, then rises dramatically in the intermediate and the far future. The intensity of extreme droughts will be increased in the near future and decreased in the intermediate future due to high annual rainfall, then tending to have an upward trend in the far future.

scholarly journals Taking the heterogeneity of citizens into account: flood risk communication in coastal cities – a case study of Bremen

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1931-1940 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Martens ◽  
H. Garrelts ◽  
H. Grunenberg ◽  
H. Lange
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Media Analysis ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
Distribution Of Resources

Abstract. The likely manifestations of climate change like flood hazards are prominent topics in public communication. This can be shown by media analysis and questionnaire data. However, in the case of flood risks an information gap remains resulting in misinformed citizens who probably will not perform the necessary protective actions when an emergency occurs. This paper examines more closely a newly developed approach to flood risk communication that takes the heterogeneity of citizens into account and aims to close this gap. The heterogeneity is analysed on the meso level regarding differences in residential situation as well as on the micro level with respect to risk perception and protective actions. Using the city of Bremen as a case study, empirical data from n=831 respondents were used to identify Action Types representing different states of readiness for protective actions in view of flood risks. These subpopulations can be provided with specific information to meet their heterogeneous needs for risk communication. A prototype of a computer-based information system is described that can produce and pass on such tailored information. However, such an approach to risk communication has to be complemented by meso level analysis which takes the social diversity of subpopulations into account. Social vulnerability is the crucial concept for understanding the distribution of resources and capacities among different social groups. We therefore recommend putting forums and organisations into place that can mediate between the state and its citizens.

scholarly journals Analysis of Flood Risk of Urban Agglomeration Polders Using Multivariate Copula

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqin Gao ◽  
Dongdong Wang ◽  
Zhenxing Zhang ◽  
Zhenzhen Ma ◽  
Zichen Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Urban Agglomeration ◽  
Dependence Structure ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Flood Characteristics ◽  
Qinhuai River

Urban agglomeration polders (UAPs) are often used to control flooding in eastern China. The impacts of UAPs on individual flood events have been extensively examined, but how flood risks are influenced by UAPs is much less examined. This study aimed to explore a three-dimensional joint distribution of annual flood volume, peak flow and water level to examine UAPs’ impact on flood risks based on hydrological simulations. The dependence between pairwise hydrological characteristics are measured by rank correlation coefficients and graphs. An Archimedean Copula is applied to model the dependence structure. This approach is applied to the Qinhuai River Basin where UAPs are used proactively for flood control. The result shows that the Frank Copula can better represent the dependence structure in the Qinhuai River Basin. UAPs increase risks of individual flood characteristics and integrated risks. UAPs have a relatively greater impact on water level than the other two flood characteristics. It is noted that the impact on flood risk levels off for greater floods.

scholarly journals Architecture & Legitimacy: Strategies for the Development of Urban Informal Settlements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Pressick
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Global City ◽  
The People ◽  
Urban Informal Settlements ◽  
Cultural Networks ◽  
The City ◽  
Autonomous Development

Currently, 1 in 6 people live in slums, or informal settlements in cities throughout the developing world. They are built illegally and are characterized by lack of proper sanitation, unsafe housing, and crowded living conditions. Despite their appearance, informal settlements are legitimate communities; they are vibrant, with sophisticated social, economic and cultural networks that support the livelihoods of residents who call them home. These communities give the urban poor a physical place within the city, giving them access to the opportunities and advantages that the current age of the 'global city' can offer to any willing participant. As architects who see the responsibility in choosing the informal settlement as a realm for engagement, this thesis proposes that any architectural intervention be mindful of the importance of the networks contained within the streets and buildings of the informal settlement. By preserving the built-fabric of the settlement, the architect legitimizes the settlement's density and scale, while ensuring the urban poor have a physical place in the city. They have managed to develop their own communities without any investment from outside forces, any intervention should only support that autonomous development. These structures, as well as the people and activities with them, are vital to the survival of residents of informal settlements.

scholarly journals An advanced method for flood risk analysis in river deltas, applied to societal flood fatality risks in the Netherlands

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1637-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. de Bruijn ◽  
F. L. M. Diermanse ◽  
J. V. L. Beckers
Keyword(s):  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Hydrodynamic Interaction ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
River Deltas ◽  
River Flood ◽  
Flood Risk Analysis

Abstract. This paper discusses the new method developed to analyse flood risks in river deltas. Risk analysis of river deltas is complex, because both storm surges and river discharges may cause flooding and since the effect of upstream breaches on downstream water levels and flood risks must be taken into account. A Monte Carlo based flood risk analysis framework for policy making was developed, which considers both storm surges and river flood waves and includes hydrodynamic interaction effects on flood risks. It was applied to analyse societal flood fatality risks (the probability of events with more than N fatalities) in the Rhine–Meuse delta.

scholarly journals READY: a web-based geographical information system for enhanced flood resilience through raising awareness in citizens

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 993-1024
Author(s):  
R. Albano ◽  
A. Sole ◽  
J. Adamowski
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Geographical Information System ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
General Public ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
Hazard And Risk ◽  
Self Protection

Abstract. As evidenced by the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC), flood management strategies in Europe have undergone a shift in focus in recent years. The goal of flood prevention using structural measures has been replaced by an emphasis on the management of flood risks using non-structural measures. One implication of this is that it is no longer public authorities alone who take responsibility for flood management. A broader range of stakeholders, who may experience the negative effects of flooding, also take on responsibility to protect themselves. Therefore, it is vital that information concerning flood risks are conveyed to those who may be affected in order to facilitate the self-protection of citizens. Experience shows that even where efforts have been made to communicate flood risks, problems persist. There is a need for the development of new tools, which are able to rapidly disseminate flood risk information to the general public. To be useful, these tools must be able to present information relevant to the location of the user. Moreover, the content and design of the tool need to be adjusted to laypeople's needs. Dissemination and communication influences both people's access to and understanding of natural risk information. Such a tool could be a useful aid to effective management of flood risks. To address this gap, a Web-based Geographical Information System, (WebGIS), has been developed through the collaborative efforts of a group of scientists, hazard and risk analysts and managers, GIS analysts, system developers and communication designers. This tool, called "READY: Risk, Extreme Events, Adaptation, Defend Yourself", aims to enhance the general public knowledge of flood risk, making them more capable of responding appropriately during a flood event. The READY WebGIS has allowed for the visualization and easy querying of a complex hazard and risk database thanks to a high degree of interactivity and its easily readable maps. In this way, READY has enabled fast exploration of alternative flood scenarios or past calamitous events. Combined also with a system of graphic symbols designed ad hoc for communication of self-protection behaviors, it is believed READY could lead to an increase in citizen participation, informed discussion and consensus building. The platform has been developed for a site-specific application, i.e. the Basilicata Region, Italy, has been selected as pilot application area. The goal of the prototype is to raise citizen awareness of flood risks, and to build social capacity and enhanced resilience to flood events.

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