Adoption of appropriate measures to minimize the effects of floods on housing in the three Northern Regions of Ghana the perspective of consultants

Abstract

Globally, flood disasters increasingly pose severe risk to humanity due to their devastating effects. The built environment is the worst affected sector and often the repercussions of flood events on poorly planned and/or designed settlements leads to crisis situations. In Ghana, floods are major occurrences in the principal cities and towns and settlements along the Volta River Basin. Yearly, the three northern regions of Ghana namely; Northern Region, Upper East Region and Upper West Region experience floods which displace human population. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of floods on housing in the three northern regions of Ghana and strategies for minimizing the effects. The research strategy adopted was a quantitative approach involving the development of survey questionnaires administered to a purposeful sample of 158 consultants (Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Structural Engineers). The findings of the study revealed that the principal effects of floods on housing are destruction of the foundation, collapse of walls and damp penetration. The study also revealed that the enabling factors for adoption of appropriate measures to minimize the effects of floods on housing included; compliance with building regulations and raising the foundation above round level to allow the flow flood water beneath the building. The study revealed key barriers to the adoption of appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of floods included; lack of effective management of risk, design challenges and non-availability of the right materials. The study equally revealed appropriate measures as the adoption of raised piled foundation, stone or burnt clay brick wall and pitch roof with clay tiles as roof covering material to minimize the effects of floods on housing.