Urban drainage in developing countries - challenges and opportunities

I n the cities of the developing world, the urban poor often inhabit marginal land that has less commercial value but is the only available land where they can afford to live. This includes land that is poorly drained and floods frequently, or on steep hillsides that are prone to landslides. The benefits of living nearer sources of employment and urban services usually outweigh the disadvantages associated with flooding, which is generally perceived as a natural and seasonal event. The consequences of flooding can sometimes be devastating, especially for poor communities who lack the financial resources to rebuild their homes. Nevertheless, flooding tends to be accepted as a fact of life for these communities, who develop coping strategies for dealing with the consequences of inundation (see Box).