Evaluating flood adaptation governance in the city of Calabar, Nigeria

Adekola, O., Lamond, J., Adelekan, I. and Eze, E. B. (2020) Evaluating flood adaptation governance in the city of Calabar, Nigeria. Climate and Development, 12(9), pp. 840-853. (doi: 10.1080/17565529.2019.1700771)

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Abstract

The increasing demand for cities in developing societies to embed climate adaptation into policies and practices has implications for the governance system which mainly focus on governing by traditional hierarchical forms, and by network while neglecting other forms of governing. This raises fundamental questions concerning how governing arrangements support or constrain climate hazard management. The paper assesses existing approaches to adapting to climate hazards in Calabar metropolis in Nigeria, where flooding is a major hazard. The governance systems adopted in the context of flood adaptation and their implication for practice is further investigated, and the strategies necessary for an improved implementation of climate hazard adaptation at the local governance level examined. Data for the study is collected from a stakeholder workshop and document analysis. Despite calls for decentralized governance and prevalence of a hierarchical system, other forms of governing coexist alongside these systems in Calabar. Five key strategies which should form the basis of urban climate hazard adaptation in practice, as identified by stakeholders, are synergy of activities among stakeholders; enforcement devoid of politics and bureaucracy, capacity building and information/data availability; increased focus on international cooperation and funding; and consideration of connections between flooding and other urban processes.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Adekola, Dr Olalekan Adeban
Authors: Adekola, O., Lamond, J., Adelekan, I., and Eze, E. B.
College/School:University Services > Learning and Teaching Services Division
Journal Name:Climate and Development
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:1756-5529
ISSN (Online):1756-5537
Published Online:18 December 2019

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