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Geophysical, socio-demographic characteristics and perception of flood vulnerability in Accra, Ghana

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  • Samuel Codjoe

  • Samuel Afuduo

Abstract

Empirical studies of residential flood vulnerability have generally concentrated on either the geophysical characteristics or the socio-economic characteristics of a given region, rather than a combination of the two. In addition, studies using subjective assessments of flood vulnerability are not very common. However, due to the fact that people’s perceptions influence their risk behaviour, and therefore their vulnerability, understanding perceptions about a phenomenon is very significant for the design of effective communication as well as mitigation, coping, and adaptation strategies. This study uses a digital map (to calculate mean elevation, slope, proximity to lagoon, sea, and drain length by area) and the EDULINK Round II Household Survey (for socio-demographic characteristics of households) for the analysis. Perception of flood vulnerability is derived from responses from heads of households to the question, “Do you perceive your household to be vulnerable to floods?” The responses are either in the affirmative or negative. Results show that even when a subjective assessment of vulnerability is undertaken, it is geophysical characteristics that have significant associations with perceptions of flood vulnerability. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Codjoe & Samuel Afuduo, 2015. "Geophysical, socio-demographic characteristics and perception of flood vulnerability in Accra, Ghana," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 77(2), pages 787-804, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:77:y:2015:i:2:p:787-804
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-015-1624-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mumuni Abu & Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, 2018. "Experience and Future Perceived Risk of Floods and Diarrheal Disease in Urban Poor Communities in Accra, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Emmanuel Abeka & Felix A. Asante & Wolfram Laube & Samuel N. A. Codjoe, 2020. "Contested causes of flooding in poor urban areas in Accra, Ghana: an actor-oriented perspective," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3033-3049, April.
    3. Christoph Clar & Lukas Löschner & Ralf Nordbeck & Tatjana Fischer & Thomas Thaler, 2021. "Population dynamics and natural hazard risk management: conceptual and practical linkages for the case of Austrian policy making," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(2), pages 1765-1796, January.
    4. Paul William Kojo Yankson & Alex Barimah Owusu & George Owusu & John Boakye-Danquah & Jacob Doku Tetteh, 2017. "Assessment of coastal communities’ vulnerability to floods using indicator-based approach: a case study of Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 89(2), pages 661-689, November.
    5. Meenu Rani & Sufia Rehman & Haroon Sajjad & B. S. Chaudhary & Jyoti Sharma & Sandeep Bhardwaj & Pavan Kumar, 2018. "Assessing coastal landscape vulnerability using geospatial techniques along Vizianagaram–Srikakulam coast of Andhra Pradesh, India," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 94(2), pages 711-725, November.
    6. Sufia Rehman & Mehebub Sahana & Haoyuan Hong & Haroon Sajjad & Baharin Bin Ahmed, 2019. "A systematic review on approaches and methods used for flood vulnerability assessment: framework for future research," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 96(2), pages 975-998, March.
    7. Seungil Yum, 2023. "Analyses of human responses to Winter storm Kai using the GWR model," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(2), pages 1805-1821, March.

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