Dynamic factors influencing the post-disaster resettlement success Lessons from the case of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Venkata Narayanan AEKBOTE

6th
International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2016
‘Integrative Risk Management – Towards Resilient Cities‘ • 28 Aug – 1 Sept 2016 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Dynamic factors influencing the
post-disaster resettlement success:
Lessons from the case of Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania
Venkata Narayanan AEKBOTE LAKSHMINARAYANAN
University of Grenoble Alpes / Technical University of Darmstadt

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Background and research issue
• Climate change phenomenon - increasing disasters
• Vulnerable population in countries of the South – most adversely
affected
• African coastal cities are situated in vulnerable region; global
assessments and regional assessments have identified East Africa as
one of the most threatened coastal regions globally.
• They are undergoing rapid and unplanned growth, urbanisation,
and coastward migration, and have high population densities and
overburdened infrastructure.

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Typical example - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is identified as one of the largest coastal
city in Africa according to UN-HABITAT (2008)
• Seventy percent of Dar es Salaam’s population lives in unplanned
settlements, which lack adequate infrastructure and services, and
are highly prone to adverse impacts of frequent flooding
• Poor solid waste disposal and sanitation practices, combined with
rainfall, result in contamination of water and spread of disease (Dar
es Salaam City Council, 2004)
• Majority of urban dwellers are vulnerable because of the conditions
in which they live
• With increased development in the coastal zone coupled with sea-
level increase due to climate change will exacerbate these issues

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Significance of study area – Dar es Salaam
Fig: Exposed population in Dar es Salaam
in 2005, 2030, 2050, and 2070 to a 1-in-
100-Year flood
Source: Kebede and Nicholls (2011)
Source: Kebede and Nicholls (2011)

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Preliminary findings
• Rapid urbanization and unplanned growth
• Infrastructural problems – inefficient drainage system and solid-
waste management; houses in low-lying areas and in flood plains
• Lack of enforcement of policies - Government actions incoherent
with its policies
• Lack of political will – issues of political economy
• Reactive approach rather than proactive approach

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Research theme
Post-disaster recovery and resettlement
(Complexities involved)
I
Particularly when invloving resettlement in urban areas

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Main research question
• In the context of Dar es Salaam, post-disaster recovery
and resettlement, what are the processes towards
‘new normal’, its characteristics and the opportunities
and challenges therein?

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Research Design and methodology
• Case-study strategy (Yin)
• The ontological position - critical realism which combines
elements of both realist and constructivist ontologies.
• Mixed methods approach
– Questionnaire interviews
– In-depth and semi-structured interviews (Open ended)
– Focus group discussions
– Document analysis
– Reconnaissance survey and direct observations
– Photos and videos

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Context
• Disastrous floods from 20 - 22 December 2011
• Two groups – Group 1: total destruction of the house
- Group 2: partial destruction
• Group 1 – moved to primary and secondary schools for two
weeks, then to three centres for a month and finally given
plots and relocated to Mabwepande
• Group 2 – moved to relatives and friends – asked by the
Government to retrieve their belongings and after about four
to six months, given plots and relocated to Mabwepande
• Government provided plots as per the then President’s
directive, which was based on humanitarian grounds

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Context
• However, this relocation was possible only because of an
urban planning project – 20000 plots – which was being
executed
• This initiative was one of its kind – and realising the cost-
incurred and the various challenges and controversies
surrounding it, the government announced that it will not be
repeated in case of future floods
• Announcement and instruction to relocate from the river
valleys and hazardous areas – not followed
• Subsequent action in 2015 December – demolition of houses
along the river valleys – opposition and court intervention
• Status-quo as of today!

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Source: Google earth (2016)
Mabwepande
Location of Mabwepande

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Resettled population extent, Mabwepande
Bunju B Bus stop

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Situation during floods
Source: Fieldwork(2015) Source: Fieldwork(2015
Source: Fieldwork(2015)

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Coping methods

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Research context
Floods 2011

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Mabwepande

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What the local government said…
• Providing free plots cost a lot! – Expectation of gratitude
• Did their best at the time of crisis in 2011
• There are many other priorities and needs to be fulfilled
• Increasing land values and financial limitations
• Scepticism about people’s complaints and anger towards
those who sold the plots and returned back and those
continuing to stay in the flood-prone areas
• Still grappling with the challenges!

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What the community said…
• Livelihood opportunities drastically affected – Distance and
cost incurred to Kariakoo (CBD)
• Infrastructure issues – roads, transportation, health facilities,
markets, electricity, water supply
• Social network and relationships affected
• Safety and security issues
• Glad to be in a safe and planned area with title deeds
• Various perceptions and scepticism regarding the local
government

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Local authority’s perception - Success!

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Community’s perception - Failure!

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What is true?

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Factors to be considered – lessons to learn
• Livelihood opportunities
• Basic infrastructure provision – water supply, electricity, roads
and transportation facilities
• Education and health facilities
• Planning and phased relocation – to have minimal impact on
the social structure
• Ensuring community’s active participation and involvement in
the process and building trust

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Merci beaucoup!
Vielen Dank!
Thank you!
Asante Sana!

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Dynamic factors influencing the post-disaster resettlement success Lessons from the case of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Venkata Narayanan AEKBOTE

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Dynamic factors influencing the post-disaster resettlement success Lessons from the case of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Venkata Narayanan AEKBOTE