Attenuating the volume of storm runoff flow through sustainable practices: A potential solution for flood-prone areas
Volume 11, Issue 2, Spring 2026, Pages 417-434
https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2026.02.12
G. U. Fayomi, E. K. Onyari, S. R. Funsho, F. J. Odekunle
Abstract Floods in urban areas remain a critical threat to human life, health, and economic stability. This study focused on Nigeria's urban flooding, which has become a yearly occurrence. Recently, floods have been deepened by the climate change situation, urban planning lapses, and overwhelmed drainage infrastructures. Other factors intensifying urban flooding in Nigeria include rapid urbanization, choking off the natural spaces and vegetation with impervious surfaces, and accelerating stormwater runoff. The Nigerian government has implemented various flood risk management strategies, including the National Disaster Response Plan and flood control measures such as flood warning, preparedness, and responses. However, studies from the literature confirmed the insufficient understanding of flood events, such as the driving variables and uncertainties about watershed characteristics and climatic variability that impede flood risk management and prediction skills. Therefore, more proactive, sustainable strategies to handle floods are desperately needed in light of the numerous recent climate and flooding-related calamities ravaging the low-lying regions. Similarly, there is a paucity of empirical research on sustainable solutions for attenuating the volume of runoff that is seemingly resulting in flooding. This review fills this gap in the literature. More so, aligning with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable flood risk solutions touch on several SDGs, targeting all sustainable practices, resilient infrastructure, water management, sustainable cities and communities, and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. This review equally focuses on harnessing the potential embedded in the sustainable practices that can fit into other purposes.
Advances in community participation strategies: A revisit panacea to strengthen infrastructural provision
Volume 10, Issue 3, Summer 2025, Pages 565-580
https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2025.03.11
G. U. Fayomi, O. P. Akinpelu, E. K. Onyari
Abstract ABSTRACT:
The provision of infrastructural services in developing countries like Nigeria has not received adequate delivery in the past decades. This situation is growing alarming given the present economic downturn, political manipulations, and uncontrolled population increase, especially in the urban areas remains a major hindering factor. Communities are undergoing regression in countless facets of development. Community participation in the provision of infrastructure stands as a potential option for the citizens to utilize effectively rather than depending hopelessly on the government. Community participation maintains equitable and communal assets in providing a basic need within the community. The government, whose role is to provide the essential infrastructures and basic social amenities, has been overwhelmed and termed incompetent in this aspect. This study aimed at revisiting the need for community participation in the provision of infrastructures. The objectives identified potential determinants, especially in Nigeria's situation, limiting public citizens' involvement. The study adheres to a desk research study method. This approach gives access to converge information from available sources, which also includes hand-searching of grey literature and related articles. Study findings revealed a very low level of community participation practices exposed from few data available in the literature. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies on the hindering glitches towards participation; therefore, this review filled this gap in the literature. Moreover, continuity in the participation process at this time is needed given the potential embedded in infrastructure provision and quality of life. Recommendations focussed on introducing sustainable approaches and tools as a remedial factor in attaining success in community participation.
