With record rainfall and rising sea levels new thinking is needed on urban protection measures, especially in relation to those living in informal settlements tend to occupy such spaces as the land is cheaper. Residents of informal settlements are most vulnerable, since they are often closer to the risks and may lack the financial and other resources to cope with the consequences. One of the suggestions of harnessing nature in the fight against flooding is the use of mangroves to shield communities from storm surges. Plus, mangroves absorb carbon emissions, support local seafood businesses and create eco-tourism destinations.
It’s also essential to encourage communities to be involved in flood defence discussions and cities must listen to their needs and provide support. This is one of the aims of a current project Vanesa is working on - RURBANISE - Building resilience in the context of rapid urbanization: a view from informal settlements in the Philippines, a 3.5-year project funded through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience and led by Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment Inc. (TAMPEI) with 4 others partners in addition to the UI.
Communities have a lot of answers, but they cannot do it alone.
Professor of Climate Urbanism - Vanesa Castan Broto