Coastal cities in Africa, which comprise some of the continent’s most important hubs of industry and commerce, are also experiencing rapid population growth. As these cities grow, problems with inadequate housing, water and sanitation infrastructure are worsening. Lack of effective planning is also increasing the vulnerability of poor urban people, which is often made worse by impacts of climate change, such as flooding (storm surges and rainstorms), sea level rise, and ground water salinization. Many African countries do not have the capacity and financial resources to tackle these issues effectively. Disaster preparedness and risk management plans are vital components required for effective climate change adaptation.
IDRC’s Climate Change and Water program has supported research on urban adaptation processes in various coastal areas around the developing world. This brief synthesizes the lessons