Barriers and hindering factors to adaptative water management: Insights from Antananarivo, Madagascar
Authors: Constance Brouillet (ETH Zürich), Nantenaina Maminirina Ravoahangilalao (University of Antananarivo), Adrienne Grêt-Regamey (ETH Zürich), Nicolas Salliou (ETH Zürich)
Keywords: Blue-Green Infrastructures, Strategy Game, Multifunctionality, Madagascar
Session 20: Planning from the Margins? Towards the Transformative Pathways in Planning
Friday October 25, 9:00–10:30, Far West Studio, John Moffat Building
Barriers and hindering factors to adaptative water management: Insights from Antananarivo, Madagascar
Abstract
In the face of climate change, urban areas are becoming increasingly vulnerable to water-related risks such as floods and droughts. However, traditional urban risk management strategies, rely predominantly on grey infrastructure, which are often insufficient to effectively mitigate these risks. Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI), including elements like fish ponds and urban agriculture, can provide protection against climate-related risks. Unlike grey infrastructure, BGI also provides crucial ecosystem services. Drawing on the case of Antananarivo, Madagascar, where annual floods and prolonged dry seasons trigger water conflicts, we investigated the emergence of barriers to BGI and the role of enablers in developing a more holistic approach to water management. A strategy game was used as a participatory tool in a series of game workshops, with key stakeholders, including the water management authority, small landowners, municipalities and investors. During the game sessions, the participants explored different solutions for water management. Subsequently, debriefing sessions were conducted, during which participants reflected on their individual decisions and collective strategies and how these impact water management. The findings of this research highlight the inadequacies of current decision-making practices and underline the importance of meaningful collaboration among stakeholders in order to implement multifunctional solutions. By exploring locally-driven solutions from marginalized stakeholders, this study contributes to the discourse on transformative pathways in urban planning. Finally, our research paves the way for the use of participatory tools, such as strategy games, to foster collaboration between different stakeholders and alter the power dynamics in decision-making in African cities.