Climate change and adaptation-induced engineering design and innovations in water development projects in Africa

In this paper, a framework for best practice for incorporating climate change and adaption in Africa is presented from mainly the water resources design and management perspectives to chart systematically ways of incorporating climate change in engineering design of water development projects. This will enable engineers to address the challenges of Africa’s vulnerability to climate change and variability which has direct impacts on water availability, access and use which is the source of food and livelihood security for millions of the continent’s population. Climate change and variability is projected to affect the hydrological cycle, which, in turn, may alter the balance between water availability leading to uncertainty as to the onset of rainy seasons, dry spells, and more frequent extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. Using case studies, the authors outline adaptation strategies to be adopted using an integrated approach in the consideration of climate change in engineering design and management of water resources systems that also link to operational aspects of water development projects. The paper also provides a set of suggested best practices in engineering design and innovative approaches to water development involving operation and management of dams and catchments in the face of climate change and variability.