Socio-Environmental and Physical Factors of Flood Risk in African Cities: An Analysis of Vulnerabilities in Two Contrasting Neighbourhoods in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The literature on vulnerability to flooding highlights the multiple dimensions of risk factors. However, little research has analysed the joint effects of environmental and social variables on flood risk at the household level in African cities. We use an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the differentiated significance of these dimensions for the status of ‘flood victim’ in Abidjan, the major city of Côte d’Ivoire. The data used were collected in a survey of 503 households residing in two contrasting neighbourhoods of Abidjan. Modelling data with logistic regressions, the results show that physical variables (the slope of the housing plot), environmental variables (liquid and solid waste disposal) and social variables (the gender of the head of household or the composition of the household) are factors jointly associated with flood risk. The multidimensional nature of vulnerability at the household level must be seen as a challenge faced by public authorities in post-disaster management.