Public policies on sustainable flood risk management: Study cases of the Netherlands and Malawi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/andmej.v2i1.2024.953Keywords:
community resilience, early warning systems (EWS), Malawi, public policies, sustainable flood risk managementAbstract
Background: This study compares flood management strategies in Malawi and the Netherlands, emphasizing their respective advantages and disadvantages. The Netherlands is renowned globally for its flood defense, prioritizing prevention, stakeholder involvement, and nature-based solutions through sophisticated infrastructure and proactive approaches. However, future challenges may arise from economic expansion and climate change pressures. In contrast, Malawi, despite having fewer resources, is making strides with its National Resilience Strategy, focusing on risk mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and early warning systems to combat flooding and hunger vulnerabilities. Yet, it faces significant issues with financing, management, and the long-term sustainability of community-based projects. Methods: This study utilized bibliometric analysis and a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), employing a comparative approach to evaluate Malawian and Dutch public policies on flooding disasters. The aim was to identify similarities and differences in their approaches to flood risk management. Findings: The Netherlands’ proactive flood management strategy, characterized by advanced infrastructure and integrated policy frameworks, is a model for high-capacity settings. Its emphasis on nature-based solutions and stakeholder engagement further strengthens its resilience. Malawi's approach, while resource-constrained, shows promise through its National Resilience Strategy, which targets risk reduction, sustainable agricultural practices, and robust early warning systems. Nevertheless, Malawi continues to grapple with financing, effective management, and the sustainability of its flood risk mitigation initiatives. Conclusion: The experiences of the Netherlands and Malawi illustrate the need for continuous policy adaptation and the challenges of managing flood risks in diverse socioeconomic contexts. This research clarifies the relative benefits of different flood control strategies and emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches to address the complexities of flood dangers. Both countries demonstrate the ongoing need for regulatory reform to enhance flood risk mitigation efforts. Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study uniquely compares the flood risk management policies of Malawi and the Netherlands, highlighting the differences between a developing nation's reactive, community-focused approach and a developed country's proactive, infrastructure-intensive strategy. By analyzing their respective strengths and weaknesses, it identifies potential improvements and opportunities for both nations to enhance their flood management and resilience.
References
Aderinto, N. (2023). Tropical Cyclone Freddy exposes major health risks in the hardest-hit Southern African countries: lessons for climate change adaptation. International Journal of Surgery: Global Health, 6(3), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1097/gh9.0000000000000152
Busscher, T., van den Brink, M., & Verweij, S. (2019). Strategies for integrating water management and spatial planning: Organizing for spatial quality in the Dutch “Room for the River” program. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12448
Cea, L., & Costabile, P. (2022). Flood Risk in Urban Areas: Modeling, Management and Adaptation to Climate Change: A Review. Hydrology, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology9030050
Chan, F. K. S., Yang, L. E., Mitchell, G., Wright, N., Guan, M., Lu, X., Wang, Z., Montz, B., & Adekola, O. (2022). Comparison of sustainable flood risk management by four countries - the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan - and the implications for Asian coastal megacities. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 22(8), 2567–2588. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-2567-2022
Chinguwo, D. D., & Deus, D. (2022). Assessment of community-based flood early warning system in Malawi. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 14(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v14i1.1166
Conte, N., & Kostandi, C. (2022). Mapped: Countries With the Highest Flood Risk. https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-countries-with-the-highest-flood-risk/
Coulibaly, J. Y., Mbow, C., Sileshi, G. W., Beedy, T., Kundhlande, G., & Musau, J. (2015). Mapping Vulnerability to Climate Change in Malawi: Spatial and Social Differentiation in the Shire River Basin. American Journal of Climate Change, 04(03), 282–294. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2015.43023
De Lange, W. J., Prinsen, G. F., Hoogewoud, J. C., Veldhuizen, A. A., Verkaik, J., Oude Essink, G. H. P., Van Walsum, P. E. V., Delsman, J. R., Hunink, J. C., Massop, H. T. L., & Kroon, T. (2014). An operational, multi-scale, multi-model system for consensus-based, integrated water management and policy analysis: The Netherlands Hydrological Instrument. Environmental Modelling and Software, 59, 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.05.009
Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services. (2022). 2023. https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/
Dewa, O., Makoka, D., & Ayo-Yusuf, O. A. (2023). Measuring community flood resilience and associated factors in rural Malawi. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 16(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12874
Diaz, N. D., Lee, Y., Kothuis, B. L. M., Pagán-Trinidad, I., Jonkman, S. N., & Brody, S. D. (2024). Mapping the Flood Vulnerability of Residential Structures: Cases from The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Geosciences (Switzerland), 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14040109
Driessen, P. P. J., Hegger, D. L. T., Bakker, M. H. N., van Rijswick, H. F. M. W., & Kundzewicz, Z. W. (2016). Toward more resilient flood risk governance. Ecology and Society, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08921-210453
Du, H. S., Xu, J., Li, Z., Liu, Y., & Chu, S. K. W. (2021). Bibliometric mapping on sustainable development at the base-of-the-pyramid. Journal of Cleaner Production, 281, 125290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125290
Duc Tran, D., Van Halsema, G., Hellegers, P. J. G. J., Phi Hoang, L., Quang Tran, T., Kummu, M., & Ludwig, F. (2018). Assessing impacts of dike construction on the flood dynamics of the Mekong Delta. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 22(3), 1875–1896. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1875-2018
Edelenbos, J., Van Buuren, A., Roth, D., & Winnubst, M. (2017). Stakeholder initiatives in flood risk management: exploring the role and impact of bottom-up initiatives in three ‘Room for the River’ projects in the Netherlands. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 60(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2016.1140025
Endendijk, T., Botzen, W., De Moel, H., Aerst, J., Duijndam, S., Slager, K., Kolen, B., & Kok, M. (2023). Experience From the 2021 Floods in the Netherlands: Household Survey Results on Impacts and Responses Thijs. Journal of Coastal and Riverine Flood Risk, 2, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.59490/jcrfr.2023.0009
Environment and Planning Act. (2021). The Environment and Planning Act of the Netherlands. June. https://iplo.nl/publish/pages/191405/environment-and-planning-act-of-the-netherlands-june-2021.pdf
Feng, Y., Zhu, Q., & Lai, K. H. (2017). Corporate social responsibility for supply chain management: A literature review and bibliometric analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 158, 296–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.018
Ferreira, C. S. S., Potočki, K., Kapović-Solomun, M., & Kalantari, Z. (2022). Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation and Resilience in Urban Areas. Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, 107(May 2021), 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2021_758
Gao, H., Ding, X. H., & Wu, S. (2020). Exploring the domain of open innovation: Bibliometric and content analyses. Journal of Cleaner Production, 275, 122580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122580
GoM. (2010). Government of Malawi National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework. June 2010. https://www.dodma.gov.mw/index.php/downloads/category/4-other-downloads?download=9:malawi-national-drr-framework
GoM Disaster Act. (2014). Laws Africa Legislation Commons Malawi Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act. December 2014. www.laws.africa
Government of Malawi. (2016). The National Resilience Plan: Breaking the cycle of food insecurity in Malawi. Office of the Vice President Department of Disaster Management Affairs. https://massp.ifpri.info/files/2017/10/NATIONAL-RESILIENCE-PLAN-MASTER-2016.pdf
Haasnoot, M., Kwadijk, J., Van Alphen, J., Le Bars, D., Van Den Hurk, B., Diermanse, F., Van Der Spek, A., Oude Essink, G., Delsman, J., & Mens, M. (2020). Adaptation to uncertain sea-level rise; how uncertainty in Antarctic mass-loss impacts the coastal adaptation strategy of the Netherlands. Environmental Research Letters, 15(3), 34007. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab666c
Heer, J. de, Nijwening, S., Vuyst, S. De, Rijswick, M. van, Smit, T., & Groenendijk, J. (2004). Towards Integrated Water Legislation in The Netherlands: Lessons from Other Countries. 1–73. https://www.uu.nl/sites/default/files/rebo-ucwosl-2004-appendixtofinalreport.pdf
Hollis, S. (2015). Regional Disaster Risk Management. The Role of Regional Organizations in Disaster Risk Management, 13–46. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137439307_2
Humanitarian Situation Report. (2015). https://reliefweb.int/organization/ocha (2015)
Katsman, C. A., Sterl, A., Beersma, J. J., Van den Brink, H. W., Church, J. A., Hazeleger, W., ... & Weisse, R. (2011). Exploring high-end scenarios for local sea level rise to develop flood protection strategies for a low-lying delta-the Netherlands as an example. Climatic Change, 109(3–4), 617–645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-011-0037-5
Klijn, F., De Bruijn, K. M., Knoop, J., & Kwadijk, J. (2012). Assessment of the Netherlands’ flood risk management policy under global change. Ambio, 41(2), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-011-0193-x
Klijn, F., Kreibich, H., de Moel, H., & Penning-Rowsell, E. (2015). Adaptive flood risk management planning based on a comprehensive flood risk conceptualisation. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 20(6), 845–864. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-015-9638-z
Lambrechts, H. A., Paparrizos, S., Brongersma, R., Kroeze, C., Ludwig, F., & Stoof, C. R. (2023). Governing wildfire in a global change context: lessons from water management in the Netherlands. Fire Ecology, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-023-00166-7
Lee, H. J., & Whang, H. (2020). The Netherlands Spatial Development for Port Area in City-Region Focusing on the Case of Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam. Architectural Research, 22(4), 135–143. https://doi.org/10.5659/AIKAR.2020.22.4.135
Lukić, T., Basarin, B., Micić, T., Bjelajac, D., Maris, T., Marković, S. B., Pavić, D., Gavrilov, M. B., & Mesaroš, M. (2018). Rainfall erosivity and extreme precipitation in the Netherlands. Idojaras, 122(4), 409–432. https://doi.org/10.28974/idojaras.2018.4.4
Mailosi, A., Mwalwanda, S., Hassan, C., Zinkanda, S., Matanje, B., Munyaneza, F., Aron, M. B., Dally, E., Mulwafu, M., & Kachimanga, C. (2022). Experiences from Cyclone Anna and Cyclone Dumako: A short report. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 14(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.4102/PHCFM.V14I1.3761
Mann, D. E. (2022). Research at The University of Arizona. The Politics of Water in Arizona, 0583, 213–228. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2nrzgkb.19
Mengist, W., Soromessa, T., & Legese, G. (2020). Method for conducting systematic literature review and meta-analysis for environmental science research. MethodsX, 7, 100777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2019.100777
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment & Ministry of Economic Affairs. (2015). National Water Plan 2016-2021. Government of the Netherlands. https://www.government.nl/documents/policy-notes/2015/12/14/national-water-plan-2016-2021
Molenveld, A., & van Buuren, A. (2019). Flood risk and resilience in the Netherlands: In search of an adaptive governance approach. Water (Switzerland), 11(12), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11122563
Musa, F. B., Katundu, M. C., Lewis, L. A., & Munthali, A. (2024). Gender and livelihood assets: Assessing climate change resilience in Phalombe district – Malawi. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 22(January), 100347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100347
Mwase, W., Mtethiwa, A. T., & Makonombera, M. (2014). Climate change adaptation practices for two communities in Southern Malawi. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 4(2), 87–93. iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEES/article/view/10592
National Council for Law Reporting Library. (2023). The National Disaster Risk Management Bill, 2023. Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 80 (National Assembly Bills No. 24). https://kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/bills/2023/TheNationalDisasterRiskManagementBill_2023.pdf
Okoli, C., & Schabram, K. (2012). A Guide to Conducting a Systematic Literature Review of Information Systems Research. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1954824
Osti, R. P. (2019). Institutional and Governance Dimensions of Flood Risk Management: A Flood Footprint and Accountability Mechanism. Asian Development Bank.
Oukes, C., Leendertse, W., & Arts, J. (2022). Enhancing the Use of Flood Resilient Spatial Planning in Dutch Water Management. A Study of Barriers and Opportunities in Practice. Planning Theory and Practice, 23(2), 212–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2022.2034921
Pangapanga-Phiri, I., Mungatana, E. D., Pangapanga, L., & Nkoka, F. S. (2022). Understanding the impact of sustainable land-scape management practices on farm productivity under intensifying tropical cyclones: Evidence from Southern Malawi. Tropical Cyclone Research and Review, 11(4), 265–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcrr.2023.02.002
Rentschler, J., Salhab, M., & Jafino, B. A. (2022). Flood exposure and poverty in 188 countries. Nature Communications, 13(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30727-4
Šakić Trogrlić, R., Duncan, M., Wright, G., van den Homberg, M., Adeloye, A., & Mwale, F. (2022). Why does community-based disaster risk reduction fail to learn from local knowledge? Experiences from Malawi. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 83(July), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103405
Šakić Trogrlić, R., Wright, G. B., Adeloye, A. J., Duncan, M. J., & Mwale, F. (2018). Taking stock of community-based flood risk management in Malawi: different stakeholders, different perspectives. Environmental Hazards, 17(2), 107–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2017.1381582
Sandelowski, M. (2010). What’s in a name? Qualitative description revisited. Research in Nursing and Health, 33(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20362
The Government of Malawi. (2018). National Resilience Strategy. http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2016_human_development_report.pdf2http://ghi.ifpri.org/3http://www1.wfp.org/countries/malawi7http://www1.wfp.org/countries/malawi
Trogrlić, R. Š., Wright, G. B., Duncan, M. J., van den Homberg, M. J. C., Adeloye, A. J., Mwale, F. D., & Mwafulirwa, J. (2019). Characterising local knowledge across the flood risk management cycle: A case study of Southern Malawi. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061681
Van Alphen, J. (2016). The Delta Programme and updated flood risk management policies in the Netherlands. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 9(4), 310–319. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12183
van Doorn-Hoekveld, W. J., Gilissen, H. K., Groothuijse, F. A. G., & van Rijswick, H. F. M. W. (2022). Adaptation to Climate Change in Dutch Flood Risk Management: Innovative Approaches and Related Challenges. Utrecht Law Review, 18(2), 51–69. https://doi.org/10.36633/ulr.860
Venäläinen, A., Pilli-Sihvola, K., Tuomenvirta, H., Ruuhela, R., Kululanga, E., Mtilatila, L., Kanyanga, J., & Nkomoki, J. (2016). Analysis of the meteorological capacity for early warnings in Malawi and Zambia. Climate and Development, 8(2), 190–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2015.1034229
Vincent, K., Dougill, A. J., Mkwambisi, D. D., Cull, T., Stringer, L. C., & Chanika, D. (2014). Analysis of the existing weather and climate information for Malawi. University of Leads.
Wang, L., Gu, X., & Beck, H. E. (2021). Cyclones and global floods from an observation-simulation evaluation: Contributions and long-term changes. Water (Switzerland), 13(21), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13212965
Wiering, M., & Winnubst, M. (2017). The conception of public interest in Dutch flood risk management: Untouchable or transforming? Environmental Science and Policy, 73, 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.03.002
Wouw, R. van de. (n.d.). How spatial planning measures and tools are used to reduce the risks of a flood. https://edepot.wur.nl/401369
Wuijts, S., Van Rijswick, H. F., Driessen, P. P., & Runhaar, H. A. (2023). Moving forward to achieve the ambitions of the European Water Framework Directive: Lessons learned from the Netherlands. Journal of Environmental Management, 333(January), 117424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117424
Zeilsta, P. S. (2009). The Water Act in brief The Water Act. Public Works and Water Ministry of Transport, March 2009, 70.
Zuzani, P. N., Ngongondo, C. S., Mwale, F. D., & Willems, P. (2019). Examining trends of hydro-meteorological extremes in the Shire River Basin in Malawi. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 112(August 2018), 91–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2019.02.007
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2024 ASEAN Natural Disaster Mitigation and Education Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
