Assessment of exposure, coping and adaptation strategies for elements at risk to climate change-induced flooding in urban areas. The case of Jangwani Ward in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Abstract

Urban areas are the engines of socioeconomic growth and the homes of billions of people around the globe. In a changing climate, urban areas are inexorably from vulnerability to climate hazards including flooding which deters their social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The main objective of this paper was to explore exposure to elements at risk due to climate change-induced flooding in urban areas. In addition, the paper analyses the coping and adaptation strategies practiced at the community and national levels and recommends appropriate policy measures for enhanced climate resilience in urban areas. The study adopted purposeful sampling in which n = 95 households were selected for the study. Data collection methods involved household interviews with structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, documentary reviews, transect walks, surveys, and observations. Data analysis was done with a statistical package for social sciences. The results revealed that the elements at risk of exposure to climate change-induced flooding in the study area were physical infrastructures, socio-economic activities, livelihoods, and ecosystems. The study recommends enhancing resilience of elements at risk to climate change-induced flooding at national and local levels in urban areas. This is through promoting flood policies, strategies, laws, planning and management measures; enhance non-structural actions including flood forecasting, mapping, emergency evacuation plans and land use zoning and structural measures namely dams, dikes, storm surge barriers for adaptation to urban flooding.

Keywords

• Assessment
• Exposure
• Coping strategies
• Adaptation strategies
• Elements at risk
• Climate change