Assessment and Mitigation of Flood Risk in Urban Settlement: A Case of Ethekwini Metropolitan Area

Assessment and Mitigation of Flood Risk in Urban Settlement: A Case of Ethekwini Metropolitan Area

Caroline Olanrewaju & Maliga Mal Reddy

Issue: Vol. 6 No.12 Article 33 pp.3340 – 3362
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202561233 | Published online 28th November, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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ABSTRACT

Flooding is one of the most destructive natural hazards globally, with impacts intensified by climate change and systemic gaps in disaster risk governance. This study assesses the vulnerability of the eThekwini Metropolitan Area (EMA) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to recurrent flood disasters. Using an indicator-based methodology, the research analyses quantitative data across five dimensions: socio-economic, physical, health and wellbeing, institutional and governance, and environmental factors. The aim is to identify structural weaknesses and inform inclusive, long-term mitigation strategies. In April 2022, KwaZulu-Natal experienced a devastating flood disaster that illustrates the region’s exposure and fragility to floods, leading to a 0.7% drop in national GDP, disrupted manufacturing and agriculture, and reversed post-COVID economic recovery. EMA’s coastal location, prevalence of informal settlements, and limited infrastructure amplify its flood risk. Findings reveal inadequate preparedness, slow recovery, unequal distribution of incentives, and prolonged lack of essential services, such as clean water and healthcare, in affected communities. The research highlights how climate-induced hazards compound vulnerabilities, affecting livelihoods, public health, and service delivery. Institutional fragmentation and reactive planning hinder effective risk reduction. The study recommends a multi-stakeholder approach to flood mitigation, emphasising coordinated governance, equitable recovery, and proactive investment in resilient infrastructure and community engagement. This research contributes a localised vulnerability assessment framework and actionable insights for urban flood mitigation in climate-sensitive regions. By integrating diverse vulnerability indicators and emphasising inclusive planning, it offers a strategic foundation for enhancing resilience and reducing future flood impacts in South Africa’s urban settlements.

Keywords: Flood Vulnerability; Disaster Risk Management; Informal Settlement; Climate Change; Resilience

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Caroline Olanrewaju is an interdisciplinary researcher and practitioner specializing in disaster risk management, public health and care coordination. She holds a PhD in Public Management (Disaster and Risk Management) from Durban University of Technology, with fieldwork spanning Nigeria and South Africa. Her work bridges climate resilience, health equity, and community engagement, including leading a World Bank project on the health impacts of gender‑based violence in Nigeria and publishing widely cited research on flood disasters. Now based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Caroline applies her expertise to advancing climate‑health resilience and strengthening community systems across Northern Colorado.

Dr. Mal Reddy is a Senior Academic and Associate Director in the Department of Public Management and Economics at the Durban University of Technology. With extensive experience in her field, Dr. Reddy plays a pivotal role in representing DUT on the various National, Provincial and Local structures both in a professional as well as in academic capacities. She was part of the National Disaster Management Project Team that was instrumental in the development of the National Disaster Management Education and Training Framework for South Africa. Mal served on the USAID/North-West University Steering Committee responsible for the project on the Disaster Risk Reduction Knowledge Shop, creating, sharing and exchanging information and practices in Disaster Risk Reduction. She serves on the Professional Board for Disaster Management: Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA). Her professional achievement was her election as the President of the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (2012-2014). She continues her involvement by serving on the Executive Committee/Council and Board of the Institute. Her areas of interest and research include Public Management, Leadership, Local Government Management, and Disaster Risk Management. She serves on the Editorial Board of JAMBA- Journal of Disaster Risk Studies and Reviews for various Journals, including: the Journal of Human Ecology (JHE) and Alternation: Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Arts and Humanities in Southern Africa.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Olanrewaju, Caroline, and Maliga Mal Reddy, “Assessment and Mitigation of Flood Risk in Urban Settlement: A Case of Ethekwini Metropolitan Area.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 12 (2025): 3340 – 3362, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202561233.