NOVAFRICA Project Spotlight: Urbanization meets the environment: Can Community-level Technical Assistance Induce Local Adaptation and Protect Against Flooding?
Flooding is an increasing threat in rapidly growing cities, especially in areas with limited infrastructure and widespread poverty. In Quelimane, a coastal city in Mozambique, NOVAFRICA is working with local communities to reduce the risks of urban flooding through a community-based approach.
The project provides technical assistance and small grants to empower residents to design and implement their own flood protection strategies. At the heart of this intervention are community meetings that promote cooperation, local ownership, and environmental preservation—particularly of vital ecosystems such as mangroves.
To assess its impact, the research team is conducting a clustered randomized controlled trial, collecting data through household and community leader surveys, structured community activities, and direct environmental observations.
The project is led by NOVAFRICA Scientific Director Pedro Vicente, alongside Stefan Leeffers (UCL), Caroline Miehe (Nova SBE), and Jacob Macdonald (University of Sheffield).
