Can a collaborative and comprehensive framework be developed and implemented in Southeast Asian coastal cities to effectively integrate BGI as a flooding mitigation process ?

Details

Supervisors

Desmet, Carlos

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Disaster management has become a pressing global concern as natural disasters continue to increase in frequency and intensity, impacting both developing and developed countries. Among these disasters, flooding stands out as one of the most common and impactful worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia. The region's rapid and unplanned urbanization, localization, growing economy, and high population density contribute to heightened vulnerability, especially in poorly designed coastal cities. Moreover, the lack of disaster preparedness culture in South Asia and global warming further amplifies the risks faced by the population. This research aims to understand the complex relationship between governments and local populations in disaster mitigation. It specifically investigates three major cities—Bangkok - Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam, and Jakarta - Indonesia—to gain insight into systemic issues in flooding events. The study delves into concrete solutions to target those systemic problems, with a focus on the potential of Blue and Green Infrastructure (BGI) as a natural sponge to mitigate flooding events. Using qualitative research, the author conducted interviews to validate the desirability of the implementation of BGI and the use of a collaborative framework for disaster mitigation. The findings revealed a strong desire from the local population to be actively involved in the mitigation process. However, a significant challenge lies in persuading the government to adopt a more modern and collaborative approach. Massive Collective Intelligence emerged as a promising framework to harness collective wisdom and create a general sense of involvement. In conclusion, a comprehensive and collaborative framework for disaster mitigation is possible and is highly desirable among the local population. However, certain obstacles, particularly governmental resistance, need to be addressed. Further research on the feasibility and viability of this collaborative approach should be conducted to fully convince decision-makers of its potential and foster successful disaster mitigation in Southeast Asian coastal cities.