Navigating flood resilience: challenges, solutions, and lessons learnt from the Dominican Republic
Abstract
Recent unprecedented events worldwide, such as floods in Dubai, recurring heavy rainfall in Santo Domingo, and abrupt temperature changes in the United Kingdom (UK), underscore the tangible impacts of climate change. In response to escalating threats from natural disasters, global communities prioritise resilience and effective disaster management systems. This paper addresses best practices for managing abnormal floods, laying the foundation for the next generation of preparedness and mitigation plans. Focusing on flood risk in Santo Domingo, the study employs the Community Disaster Resilience Framework, conducting a workshop with over 100 stakeholders from government, private, and academic sectors. The assessment spans physical, economic, environmental, and social aspects, revealing common challenges in infrastructure upkeep, public awareness, urban planning, drainage, and economic disparities. The paper proposes technological solutions like predictive maintenance and smart drainage systems, emphasising the potential for implementation. Recognising the importance of community involvement and preparedness, insights from the United Kingdom guide initial steps in strategy development. The conclusions advocate for collaborative efforts among government, academia, and society to navigate the complexities of disaster management and community resilience, ultimately proposing a framework to address these challenges. Further research is suggested in expanding online platforms for disaster risk reduction education in the Caribbean region.Citation
Reynoso Vanderhorst, H.D., Pathirage, C., and Proverbs, D. (2024) Navigating Flood Resilience: Challenges, Solutions, and Lessons Learnt from the Dominican Republic. Water, 16(3):382. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16030382Publisher
MDPIJournal
WaterAdditional Links
https://doi.org/10.3390/w16030382Type
Journal articleLanguage
enDescription
© 2024 The authors. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/w16030382ISSN
2073-4441EISSN
2073-4441Sponsors
The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland partially funded this research.ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/w16030382
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/