Work

Coping with Floods in Pikine, Senegal: An Exploration of Household Impacts and Prevention Efforts

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: African cities are at increasing risk for disasters, including floods. Pikine, Senegal—located on the outskirts of the Dakar metropolitan region—has experienced regular floods since 2005 due to a rising water table, dense settlement, and inadequate drainage. The goal of this research was to assess household experiences of floods through in-depth qualitative interviews in one area of Pikine. A total of 44 households were interviewed on the economic and health impacts of flooding and their perceptions of flood mitigation strategies. Our research confirmed that floods create substantial economic and health burdens for families and that infrastructure projects have helped, but not solved, the flooding issues. Our research also had some unexpected findings, particularly relating to concerns over drinking water, land tenure and housing prices, and perception of government intervention.

Source: Urban Science

DOI: 10.3390/urbansci3020054

Authors: Hilary Hungerford, Sarah Smiley, Taylor Blair, Samantha Beutler, Noel Bowers, Eddy Cadet

Institutions: Utah Valley University, Kent State University at Salem, University of Bayreuth, Kent State University

Language: English

Topic: Flood Risk Assessment and Management

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, No poverty, Clean water and sanitation, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,013