Application of socio-hydrological approach to study water-related hazards in Can Tho City

Abstract

The concept of socio-hydrology was applied in this study to explore the interaction between urban development and water-related hazards in Can Tho using both primary and secondary data. The results showed that water-related hazards tend to increase. Many drivers are identified including both social and hydrological. The trend of water level at Can Tho station (mid-stream) in the last 20 years has a positive relationship with down-stream (Dai Ngai station), and a negative relationship with up-stream (Chau Doc station). It means that sea level rise has increasingly affected the water regime in Can Tho. Heavy short duration rainfall also contributes to urban floods. Moreover, social drivers as human behaviors and uncontrolled urban development also increase the risk. Therefore, to minimize the impacts of water-related hazards it is necessary to take into account a combination of hard measures and soft measures. Green urban development which shows potential for improving the quality of ecosystem services and provide opportunities for urban dwellers to reconnect with nature should be promoted for disaster risk reduction.