MANAGING FLOOD RISKS: LESSONS FROM KEKO MACHUNGWA INFORMAL SETTLEMENT IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

Abstract

Globally, world urban population has been increasing and by 2050 it is expected to reach 70% of the world population. This is a challenge because new settlements are emerging and most of them are taking place informally in developing countries. Forms of urbanization in developing countries are not in favor of poor people. As a result, majorities are forced to reside informally in areas prone to natural hazards in general and floods in particular. Literatures prove that informal settlements are a major factor in the increase of floods because most of them lack of basic infrastructures and there is poor coordination from the development activities. These together contribute to the increase of vulnerability of informal settlement inhabitants into different risks associated with floods as a result of climatic change. The paper therefore assesses surroundings of informal settlements under the umbrella of factors that cause risks and how they are managed and spell out relevant policy implications. Findings show that factors that increase flood associated risks in the settlement include: housing densification, solid waste management, sewers and drains management, blocked streams, water sources, livestock keeping, and accessibility.