Macro-drainage problems sometimes displace floodings

Macro-drainage projects have been developed in some areas to alleviate urban flooding. However, this has actually led to increased flooding in some areas. At the same time, the likelihood of flooding has increased in other areas that were previously unaffected. This in turn has led to health problems for the newly affected population.

Nº 104

Una Basin Macro-Drainage Project, Pará

  • Land, Food & Agriculture
  • Adaptation to Environmental Degradation
  • Protection Against Flooding
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made

None

Macro-drainage problems sometimes displace floodings

Macro-drainage projects have been developed in some areas to alleviate urban flooding. However, this has actually led to increased flooding in some areas. At the same time, the likelihood of flooding has increased in other areas that were previously unaffected. This in turn has led to health problems for the newly affected population.

The primary objective of the Una Basin Macro-Drainage Project (PMBU) was to improve the flow of rainfall in order to prevent flooding in the area. In addition, the project aimed to improve public services, including water treatment, wastewater collection and treatment, and public sanitation. It also included the restoration of public spaces such as gardens and squares, and the organised resettlement of people. However, the project did not succeed in significantly reducing pollution. In addition, solid waste accumulated along the canal banks, leading to the re-emergence of past problems such as reduced natural infiltration areas, illegal dumping of sewage, contamination of water bodies and sediments, and clogging of storm drains due to sedimentation.

  • Frustrated the efforts to address the initial problem
  • Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)

Dias, V. M., Soares, P. P., Brondizio, E. S., & Cruz, S. H. (2021). Grassroots mobilization in Brazil’s urban Amazon: Global investments, persistent floods, and local resistance across political and legal arenas. World Development, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105572.

Mansur, A. V., Brondizio, E. S., Roy, S., Soares, P. P., & Newton, A. (2018). Adapting to urban challenges in the Amazon: flood risk and infrastructure deficiencies in Belém, Brazil. Regional Environmental Change,18, 1411-1426.

No literature found on this case.

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