Susceptibility of Residential Houses to Flood Hazards in Informal Lowly Elevated Coastal Zones in Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania: The Case of Msasani Bonde la Mpunga

Abstract

Human activities and climate change have led to increased precipitation and exacerbated flooding affecting infrastructure, residents, and livelihoods, especially in lowly elevated coastal zones and areas. This study explores the susceptibility of residential houses to flooding in the lowly elevated coastal zone of Msasani Bonde la Mpunga settlement in Dar es Salaam city; and investigates locally adopted adaptation strategies. Tools for data collection included key informant interviews, focus group discussions and building material tests. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using SPSS, while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. Findings indicated that lowly elevated coastal zones experience severe flood impacts because of their locations. Some houses are of substandard condition while others possess good mechanical properties, yet both are vulnerable to floods. Inappropriate house designs and processing of building materials, lack of technical assistance in building construction, deficient surface drainage, and persistent use of inefficient flood coping measures heighten vulnerability. Adaptation potentials for improving houses’ resilience include capacity building in designing and construction of houses as well as integrated flood control. This study contributes knowledge on flood resilience and improved housing to residents in low-lying coastal zones, as well as to technocrats and policy makers. The insights from this case offer scalable implications for housing policy and flood risk management in other lowly elevated coastal zones experiencing comparable socio-environmental conditions.

Keywords: Climate change-induced floods, LECZ, houses’ vulnerability, adaptation, case study