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Environment and Urbanization, Vol. 20, No. 1, 187-205 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0956247808089156

Unjust waters: climate change, flooding and the urban poor in Africa

Ian Douglas

School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK, ian.douglas{at}manchester.ac.uk

Kurshid Alam

alam{at}khurshidalam.org

Maryanne Maghenda

wughangamwalu@yahoo. com

Yasmin Mcdonnell

ActionAid International, Hamlyn House, MacDonald Road, Archway, London N19 5PG, UK, Yasmin. Mcdonnell{at}actionaid.org

Louise Mclean

House, MacDonald Road, Archway, London N19 5PG, UK, Louise.McLean{at}actionaid.org

Jack Campbell

ActionAid International, Hamlyn House, MacDonald Road, Archway, London N19 5PG, UK, Jack.Campbell{at}actionaid.org

Many of the urban poor in Africa face growing problems of severe flooding. Increased storm frequency and intensity related to climate change are exacerbated by such local factors as the growing occupation of floodplains, increased runoff from hard surfaces, inadequate waste management and silted-up drainage. One can distinguish four types of flooding in urban areas: localized flooding due to inadequate drainage; flooding from small streams within the built-up area; flooding from major rivers; and coastal flooding. ActionAid undertook participatory vulnerability analysis in five African cities, to explore local people's perceptions of why floods occur, how they adjust to them, who is responsible for reducing the flood risk and what action the community itself can take. While local people adapt to floods, recognition of local, national and international governments' and organizations' responsibility to act to alleviate flooding and its causes, especially the consequences of climate change, is urgently needed.

Key Words: adaptation • Africa • climate change • communities • drainage • flooding • government • urban poor


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