Towards Sustainable and Resilient Urban Development: Rethinking Stormwater Management in Sub-Saharan African Cities

Abstract

Managing urban stormwater is a global problem in the context of rapid urbanisation and current climate change. This is particularly exacerbated in sub-Saharan African (SSA) cities characterised by dramatic growth and a projected intense urban development and expansion. Owing to the rapid urbanisation and climate variability, many SSA cities have had to deal with adverse impacts such as extreme precipitation, increased flood risk and other environmental impacts. Unfortunately, the conventional urban drainage approaches are challenged with unplanned urban development and inherent infrastructure deficit highlighting the need to adopt robust adaptation options. This chapter presents a case for rethinking the current urban drainage approaches to storm waterlogging in SSA cities towards more sustainable management approaches that enhance resilience and support sustainable urban living. We introduce a robust “eco-sustainable” approach based on sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) as a viable alternative for urban stormwater management. The concepts and framework of systematic applications of SUDS based on best management practices and principles are discussed. It is argued that integrating these sustainable management practices and principles into urban planning and water management has significant potential for mitigating urban storm waterlogging and flood risk as well as providing benefits that improve general livelihoods in urban areas.