1. Anthropogenic and physical landscape perspectives in perennial flooding in Alajo Dr. John Manyimadin Kusimi and Mr. Ebenezer Yeboah Dept. of Geography & Resource Development by

2. Presentation Outline Background to the study Problem Statement Research Objectives Research Methods and Materials Findings Conclusion Recommendation

3. Background to the Study Flooding is the inundation of land by water due to over saturation of the ground from precipitation, overflows from water bodies or from high tidal waves along coastal zones. 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 (Douglas et al, 2008).

4. Background to the Study Cont. Causes of Urban floods: Climate change – storm intensity & frequency Urban growth  occupation of floodplains  minimizes infiltration from impervious surfaces Lack of good drainage systems – informal settlements Poor waste management – particularly solid

5. Study Area Location  Lat: 5.3733° N  Long: 0.1367° W N of Circle Floodplain of Odaw @ Confluence of Odaw & Onisia Ayawaso Central District Soils: clayey Rainfall: 730 mm Population: 200,208 Background to the Study

6. Research Problem Alajo is a known locality of floods since independence. Some literature has looked at the human elements causing floods in Accra e.g. Aboagye 2012; Abraham et al. 2006; Afeku, 2005 etc) Others such as Karley 2009 (climate change); Nyarko 2002; Xeflide and Ophori 2008 & Rain 2011 (Flood Modeling) etc.

7. Research Problem Cont. Floods are also known to be caused by physical factors such as soil characteristics, overflows of rivers, low relief etc. The studies mostly are on the whole of Accra Alajo seems to be have a perennial phenomena The study sought to examine at the local level the peculiar human & physical elements causing perennial floods in the community.

8. Research Questions What are the underlying causes of flood in the community? What are the socio-economic and environmental ramifications of these disasters? What mechanisms have been adopted by the community in managing the floods? What are the public intervention measures towards flood resilience and how effective are these measures?

9. Objectives of the Study The main objective of the study was to determine the underlying causes of floods and assess the socio-economic and environmental ramifications of this perennial disaster Investigate the anthropogenic and physical elements causing flood Ascertain the effects of floods on residents Unearth the adaptation and coping strategies to the floods Investigate public interventions of flood control

10. Research Methods & Materials Key-informant interviews e.g.  AMA - data on the planning system (including waste management.  NADMO - data on the damages caused by flood, the kinds of relief support to victims etc In-depth interviews (opinion leaders) car garages Questionnaires survey (120) to households heads & business leaders – 3 transects (40 along a transect)

11. Findings Causes of floods Physical Elements  Location (confluence & floodplain)  Soils – clays  Siltation  Overflow of small inland drainage channels – increase in imperviousness, choked drains etc

12. Findings Cont. Climate Change Rainfall: Relatively flat mean trend from 1960 - 2010.

13. Findings Cont. Causes of floods Human Factors  Improper layout of buildings  Lack of drainage systems & small drains

14. Findings Cont.  Poor waste collection and disposal – choking of drains

15. Effects of Floods  Loss of property & human lives  Loss of working hours  Affects businesses  Economic hazards  Destruction of physical infrastructure  Insanitary environment (deposition of silt and trash)  Health problems – dysentery, cholera, diarrhea etc  Reconstruction of infrastructure & relief items

16. Adaptation Strategies StrategyPercentage Move to safer places temporarily 39 Restructure housing unit & household furniture 34 Build stone breakwaters15 Use of sand bags to break floodwaters 13

17. Coping Mechanisms MechanismPercentage Family savings49 Loan from friends, relatives, and other persons 23 Relief support from government8 Material support from family/relatives 4

18. Public institutions & flood prevention & management AMA  drains construction – Hydrological Services Dept,  de-silting of drains,  clearing of buildings on waterways - TCP, and  public education.  clean up in collaboration with Zoomlion

19. Public institutions & flood prevention & management NADMO  field visits to assess the extent to which residents put in measures to pre-flood disaster,  educating the populace about flood mitigation and management (Hydro Meteorological Disaster’s Technical Committee) – through seminars (2014)  Relief support

20. Conclusion & Recommendation  Floods are due to an interplay of human and natural forces  Weak institutional structures for proper urban development and poor waste management  Enforcement of bye-laws on building regulations & waste management are key to preventing flooding in the community  Urban greening

21. THANK U