Addressing the anthropogenic causes of floods: the Lagos experience

Abstract

The paper examines the issue of flood from the perspective of culture, using the case with Lagos as example. Starting from the standpoint of the benefit potential of multi-disciplinary study efforts related to the environment, the paper considers the anthropogenic causes of floods on the Lagos Island and how this can benefit from multiple disciplinary intervention approaches. Considering the water-related traditional praise name of Lagos, the paper notes the part played by water in the cultural repertoire of the indigenes of this geographical enclave. It calls attention to the anti-environmental friendly practices of waste disposal that highlight the behaviour of residents in Lagos, emphasizing the highly noticeable presence within such waste content, of non-biodegradable food wrappers that have come to replace the bio-degradable ones that characterized the Lagos past. Drawing lessons from a recent CSI-UNESCO multi-disciplinary special project which was designed to serve as wise practice relating to the reduction of the effect of flood on the Lagos Island, the paper concludes by offering suggestions towards the reduction of flood through the insights provided from the perspective of culture as it obtains in a cosmopolitan setting, of which Lagos stands as a typical example.


Keywords: Culture, floods, Obalende, Lagos, refuse

> IFI PsychologIA Vol. 27 2006: pp. 227-237