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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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