Climate change resilience in urban mobility

Info

Start date: 1 March, 2018 End date: 31 December, 2023 Project type: Research projects in countries with extended development cooperation (earlier Window 1) Project code: 17-01-KU Countries: Ghana Thematic areas: Climate change, Transport and infrastructure, Urban development, Lead institution: University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark Partner institutions: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana University of Ghana (UG), Ghana Project website: go to website (the site might be inactive) Project coordinator: Lasse Møller-Jensen Total grant: 9,816,193 DKK

Project summary

The objective of the project is to identify research-based strategies for increasing climate change resilience within urban mobility, accessibility and transport in Accra, Ghana. Mobility within the urban areas is a basic need for urban residents because of the strong links between mobility and livelihood. Climate change induced mobility-constraints have a number of consequences, including reducing access to work places, markets and services. Expected consequences of climate change are increased levels and frequency of flooding, impacting an urban transport system which is already challenged by poor road conditions and congestion, as well as very rapid spatial expansion of the city. The proposed research project applies an interdisciplinary approach building upon the combined competences of team partners in Denmark and Ghana within 1) climate change and urban flooding, 2) urban planning and accessibility analysis, and 3) mobility patterns and livelihood vulnerability. This research effort will provide an understanding of the links between climate change, urban flooding, urban accessibility and the mobility of urban residents. The project will provide extensive training and supervision to enhance research capacity in the field. It will develop new methods for analyzing and mapping flood vulnerability and urban accessibility, and provide new policy and planning measures to advance the sustainable urban development agenda.

Outputs

Midterm report
The project aims at establishing a comprehensive understanding of the physical and human factors that determine the impacts of frequent flood events on physical mobility and accessibility in the Accra region. Currently, the joint research activities of the three partner institutions have included 1) stake-holder interviews and a comprehensive survey in four settlements ( >2000 resp.) regarding mobility practices and livelihood strategies as well as flood vulnerability, 2) development of methods, including drone-borne lidar detection, as well as creation of maps of flood vulnerability for the transportation network on various scales, and 3) GIS-based analysis and mapping of mobility-implications of flood events. Initial results indicate that urban development practices and lack of enforcement of regulations contribute strongly to an increased frequency of disastrously flood events. Three PhD students are enrolled; one is in his final (fourth) year, two are in mid-period. Four papers, one Policy Brief as well as several reports and maps have been published (see website). An additional eight papers are currently in review or in preparation.

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