Collective social captial and adaptation strategies to flooding : A case study of the neighbourhood Kemijen in Semarang, Indonesia
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2013-06
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en
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Abstract
An increase in annual floods is troubling Southeast Asia. Natural causes are bad weather
conditions and a rise in sea level. Man-made causes are pollution, urbanisation and the
extraction of ground water. The latter two are also the cause of another environmental
hazard troubling the area: land subsidence. This can be defined as “a movement of a
surface downwards relative to a datum such as sea level”. Continuing land subsidence
has a reinforcing influence on the flooding. These environmental problems have an
immense impact on the daily lives of people living in the flood-prone areas. An important
factor influencing the ability of people to deal with these shocks is the state of their
livelihoods; these comprise the capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of
living. People with low means of living are more vulnerable to external stress such as
environmental hazards placed on their livelihoods and well-being. This is often the case
for developing countries. Most countries in Southeast Asia are developing countries which
means that the larger part of their population is living on a low income and is thus more
vulnerable to the effects of flooding. One of the most vulnerable countries in Asia prone to
frequent flooding is the densely populated Indonesia. In Indonesia the island with the most
and highest risk areas is Java Island. The fourth biggest city of Indonesia is located on the
north coast of the island: Semarang. Semarang is troubled by land subsidence and has
experienced a severe rise in annual floods.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen