Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.

ABSTRACT Context and background : the relationship between urbanization, climate change, and flooding has been a focal point of academic and policy discourse. while the impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns and sea-level rise are increasingly recognized,the role of urban planning and...

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Main Author: Bankolay Theodore
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EL-AYACHI 2024-12-01
Series:African Journal on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/AJLP-GS/article/view/52090
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author Bankolay Theodore
author_facet Bankolay Theodore
author_sort Bankolay Theodore
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Context and background : the relationship between urbanization, climate change, and flooding has been a focal point of academic and policy discourse. while the impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns and sea-level rise are increasingly recognized,the role of urban planning and governance in exacerbating flood risks remains a subject of debate. studies have primarily focused on developed countries, with limited research on the specific challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing cities in developing regions like Freetown in west africa. Goal and objectives: The study aims to investigate the complex interplay between decentralization, urban planning, and flooding in Freetown, Sierra Leone. By examining the effectiveness of current policies and governance structures, the research seeks to identify key factors contributing to the city's vulnerability to flooding and propose evidence-based recommendations for mitigation and adaptation. Methodology: a cross-sectional research design was employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. quantitative data were analyzed descriptively to identify patterns and trends in flooding occurrences, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis to explore the perceptions of stakeholders and policymakers regarding the causes and consequences of flooding. Results: The findings reveal that inefficient and ineffective decentralization of governance functions to the Freetown city council, stemming from a lack of political will and leadership, has hindered effective flood management. The absence of strong and harmonious spatial planning has exacerbated uncontrolled urban sprawl, leading to increased pressure on infrastructure and environmental degradation.
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spelling doaj.art-c7415e2d17ba42fc8021d600b51c06be2024-12-31T09:21:01ZengEL-AYACHIAfrican Journal on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences2657-26642024-12-017610.48346/IMIST.PRSM/ajlp-gs.v7i6.52090Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.Bankolay Theodore0Centre Housing & Sustainable Development, University of Lagos ABSTRACT Context and background : the relationship between urbanization, climate change, and flooding has been a focal point of academic and policy discourse. while the impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns and sea-level rise are increasingly recognized,the role of urban planning and governance in exacerbating flood risks remains a subject of debate. studies have primarily focused on developed countries, with limited research on the specific challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing cities in developing regions like Freetown in west africa. Goal and objectives: The study aims to investigate the complex interplay between decentralization, urban planning, and flooding in Freetown, Sierra Leone. By examining the effectiveness of current policies and governance structures, the research seeks to identify key factors contributing to the city's vulnerability to flooding and propose evidence-based recommendations for mitigation and adaptation. Methodology: a cross-sectional research design was employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. quantitative data were analyzed descriptively to identify patterns and trends in flooding occurrences, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis to explore the perceptions of stakeholders and policymakers regarding the causes and consequences of flooding. Results: The findings reveal that inefficient and ineffective decentralization of governance functions to the Freetown city council, stemming from a lack of political will and leadership, has hindered effective flood management. The absence of strong and harmonious spatial planning has exacerbated uncontrolled urban sprawl, leading to increased pressure on infrastructure and environmental degradation. https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/AJLP-GS/article/view/52090Climate vulnerabilityClimate and land use changeFloodingdecentralizationLand use planning
spellingShingle Bankolay Theodore
Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.
African Journal on Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences
Climate vulnerability
Climate and land use change
Flooding
decentralization
Land use planning
title Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.
title_full Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.
title_fullStr Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.
title_full_unstemmed Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.
title_short Different sectoral land use policies: Implications of Decentralization and Urban Planning on Flooding in Freetown.
title_sort different sectoral land use policies implications of decentralization and urban planning on flooding in freetown
topic Climate vulnerability
Climate and land use change
Flooding
decentralization
Land use planning
url https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/AJLP-GS/article/view/52090
work_keys_str_mv AT bankolaytheodore differentsectorallandusepoliciesimplicationsofdecentralizationandurbanplanningonfloodinginfreetown