| Abstrakt: |
Context and background Residing in flood-risk informal settlements is more or less regular among low-income households in most cities of developing countries. While living in such settlements presents a challenge to the quality of life, many among the urban poor resort to settle in these areas. Goal and objectives: This paper's focus is understanding why urban residents may choose to settle in areas that are considered flood prone. To understand this phenomenon, the factors that drive urban residents to acquire land and build houses in such areas are analysed. Methodology: Msasani Bonde la Mpunga in the city of Dar es Salaam was selected as a case study area. Data were collected using household questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and field observations. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS software, while for qualitative data, thematic and content analysis were employed using MAXQDA. Results: Reasons for opting for land in marginal areas, including flood-prone sites, include; proximity to workplaces, easy and cheap land access, convenient access to social services, and connections to neighbours and friends. Others who had come in the settlement as tenants due to high proximity to low rental prices, later acquired land in the area. Other reasons include failure to acquire planned plots due to stringent procedures such as urban planning and house construction standards. Poverty and little awareness about flood risk were also contributing factors for people to acquire land in the area. Whilst the findings reveal that multiple factors shape home builders' decisions to acquire land in flood-risk areas, the paper calls for rethinking the strategies and opportunities for housing land delivery for low-income households in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
