Integrated Knowledge Systems Towards Flood Resilience and Sustainable Solid Waste Management in South African Urban Informal Settlements

The frequency and severity of extreme weather events have increased due to climate change, with floods emerging as one of the most common climate change-induced disasters the world over. South Africa is one of the countries most susceptible to floods in Southern Africa. Among the main factors exacerbating the impact of floods, particularly in urban areas in Africa, is waste. This article contributes solutions in dealing with the flood and solid waste challenges in urban informal settlements in South Africa through exploring the potential benefits of knowledge systems integration in tackling such challenges. Using the case of the Quarry Road West informal settlement in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, the paper discusses the roles played by scientific, practitioner and local knowledge systems in responding to flood risk and solid waste challenges in this area over the years and the benefits that could be realised if these knowledge systems are deployed in a systematically integrated manner.