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Characterising Local Knowledge across the Flood Risk Management Cycle: A Case Study of Southern Malawi

Author

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  • Robert Šakić Trogrlić

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Grant B. Wright

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Melanie J. Duncan

    (British Geological Survey, The Lyell Centre, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK)

  • Marc J. C. van den Homberg

    (510 An Initiative of The Netherlands Red Cross, 2593 HT The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Adebayo J. Adeloye

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Faidess D. Mwale

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Blantyre 3 P/Bag 303, Malawi)

  • Joyce Mwafulirwa

    (Total Malawi Limited, Limbe, Blantyre P.O. Box 5125, Malawi)

Abstract

People possess a creative set of strategies based on their local knowledge (LK) that allow them to stay in flood-prone areas. Stakeholders involved with local level flood risk management (FRM) often overlook and underutilise this LK. There is thus an increasing need for its identification, documentation and assessment. Based on qualitative research, this paper critically explores the notion of LK in Malawi. Data was collected through 15 focus group discussions, 36 interviews and field observation, and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that local communities have a complex knowledge system that cuts across different stages of the FRM cycle and forms a component of community resilience. LK is not homogenous within a community, and is highly dependent on the social and political contexts. Access to LK is not equally available to everyone, conditioned by the access to resources and underlying causes of vulnerability that are outside communities’ influence. There are also limits to LK; it is impacted by exogenous processes (e.g., environmental degradation, climate change) that are changing the nature of flooding at local levels, rendering LK, which is based on historical observations, less relevant. It is dynamic and informally triangulated with scientific knowledge brought about by development partners. This paper offers valuable insights for FRM stakeholders as to how to consider LK in their approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Šakić Trogrlić & Grant B. Wright & Melanie J. Duncan & Marc J. C. van den Homberg & Adebayo J. Adeloye & Faidess D. Mwale & Joyce Mwafulirwa, 2019. "Characterising Local Knowledge across the Flood Risk Management Cycle: A Case Study of Southern Malawi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1681-:d:215642
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    1. Thirze D. G. Hermans & Robert Šakić Trogrlić & Marc J. C. Homberg & Hannah Bailon & Rebecca Sarku & Anuszka Mosurska, 2022. "Exploring the integration of local and scientific knowledge in early warning systems for disaster risk reduction: a review," 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. 114(2), pages 1125-1152, November.

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