COMMUNITY RELOCATION FROM HIGH-RISK FLOODING HAZARD AREAS

THE CASE OF THE NUEVA VIDA

NEIGHBORHOOD
Ciudad Sandino, Managua

Critical Review of Sustainable Development Policies and Planning - Exam

Santos Albeiro Blandino - r0966187
December 13th, 2023
In the last two decades there
has been a tenfold increase
in global flood exposure,
affecting 70 countries.

This marks an increase of the

population inside flood-prone
regions to as many as 86
million people.

“We need to understand why

people are moving into
floodplains and in what ways
we can support flood
mitigation”

Beth Tellman, a geography

researcher at the University
of Arizona.
WHAT REASONS DO YOU THINK DRIVE
PEOPLE TO LIVE IN FLOODPLAINS?

WHAT ABOUT THE AREAS THAT HAVE A

HIGH-RISK OF FLOODING HAZARD?
UNDERSTANDING WHY THESE COMMUNITIES STAY IN HIGH-RISK FLOODING AREAS

INFRASTRUCTURE AND CULTURAL TIES

Infrastructure Lack of
and Urban Alternative Cultural and
Equipment Housing Social Impact
Barriers Options

Loyal Town of Saint James

of Managua, a small fishing
village in the 17th century.
GEOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC
FACTORS
Historical Location of Cities
Resource accessibility often contribute to the
initial attraction of these areas. For instance,
fertile soil, and proximity to water bodies, etc.

Economic Disruptions and Short-

Term Gains
Relocation often brings economic uncertainties.
The decision to stay despite the risks involves a
trade-off between short-term economic gains
and long-term vulnerabilities.

Resource Scarcity
Even when communities in high-risk areas
desire relocation, resource scarcity and
socioeconomic constraints can present
formidable barriers.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT AND GOVERNMENTAL ROLE
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT
AND RISK PERCEPTION
Climate change is turning once-
safe areas into high-risk zones.
Some communities may feel a
sense of control over the risks
they face based on historical
resilience.
GOVERNMENT'S CRUCIAL
ROLE
Policy Frameworks shape
development in high-risk zones
and influence relocation
feasibility (land use and zoning).
Support and funding initiatives
can impede or facilitate the
relocation process.
TO REDUCE THE VULNERABILTY AND RISK OF
COMMUNITIES LIVING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS IS
RELOCATION THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE?

IF RELOCATION WAS DECIDED AS THE NEXT STEP,

WHAT ELEMENTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THIS
PROCESS?
HOW TO RELOCATE A COMMUNITY
RESILIENT APPROACHES TO RELOCATION
MULTIFACETED SOLUTIONS
Developing solutions integrates
legal frameworks, collaboration,
social justice, economic
considerations, and planning for
diverse challenges
GOVERNANCE AND
COMMUNITY
Success hinges on effective
governance and active
community involvement, fostering
ownership, resilience, and
economic stability in decision-
making, planning, and
management processes.
LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE
IS CRUCIAL
Viewing relocation as a
continuous process, with
monitoring and evaluation
ensuring sustained success
CULTURE, CONTEXT, AND RISKS

Cultural Tailoring Importance of

Adaptation Solutions to Comprehensive
Enhances Unique Risk
Sustainability Contexts Assessment
THE CASE OF NUEVA VIDA
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Hurricane Legacy (1998)
NUEVA VIDA Emerged after Hurricane Mitch, Nueva Vida,
housed 10,000 displaced residents, and
embodied the harsh aftermath of natural
disasters, spotlighting challenges in emergency
resettlement.

Rebuilding Realities
Swift housing efforts encountered hurdles –
limited resources, infrastructure gaps, and
social issues, unraveling the complexities of
post-disaster recovery beyond shelter provision.

Enduring Struggles
Nueva Vida's reality reveals ongoing
challenges – water scarcity, sanitation issues,
and socio-economic disparities persist.
UNPRECEDENTED CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Huricane Mitch - 3,200 deceased - Over 1.5 billion dollars in losses in Nicaragua.

Lake Xolotlán

Managua

Mitch

Managua
Nicaragua

The waters of Lake Xolotlán in Managua rose by 4 meters (from 36.41 meters above sea
level on October 22, 1998, to 40.12 meters on October 30, 1998).
THE RELOCATION IN 1998

Nueva Vida's location

on the outskirts of
Ciudad Sandino
presented a
challenging
landscape—
characterized by
isolation, limited urban
infrastructure, and
disconnection from
the main urban center,
posing significant
hurdles for residents
seeking essential
services and
opportunities.
CHALLENGES FACED AFTER THE RELOCATION

POVERTY LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE

INADEQUATE SHELTER GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT ECONOMIC STRAIN

CONDITIONS NEGLIGENCE AND CORRUPTION

SECURITY CONCERNS

These challenges have still persisted during the last decade.

SHORT-TERM FOCUS, LONG-TERM NEGLECT
NUEVA VIDA IN 2016
Severe poverty Lack of proper public spaces
50% Unemployment rate 70% of the inhabitants feeling unsafe
70% of solid waste unattended No proper waste disposal and treatment
Contaminated soil and groundwater

NUEVA VIDA IN 2021

*Photographs taken by author
WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE RELOCATION OF THIS COMMUNITY?
PEOPLE OF NUEVA VIDA BEFORE RELOCATION - REASONS TO STAY ARE PRESENT

Infrastructure Lack of Economic

Historical
and Urban Alternative Cultural and Disruptions Resource
Location of
Equipment Housing Social Impact and Short- Scarcity
Cities
Barriers Options Term Gains

Climate
Change
Government's
Impact and
Crucial Role
Risk
Perception

PEOPLE OF NUEVA VIDA AFTER RELOCATION - NO EVIDENCE OF RESILIENT STRATEGIES WAS FOUND

Tailoring
Multifaceted Governance Comprehensive
Long-Term Cultural Solutions to
solutions and Risk
Perspective Adaptation Unique
Community Assessment
Contexts
WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE CASE OF THE
NUEVA VIDA NEIGHBORHOOD
Balancing
Urgency with
Comprehensive
Planning
Prioritizing immediate response
in emergencies must be
harmonized with thoughtful,
long-term planning for new
settlements
Sustaining
Support
Beyond Crisis
Relocation initiatives should
ensure ongoing governmental
support, infrastructure, and
services for the relocated
community well after the
emergency has subsided.
Inclusive
Community
Dynamics
Effective relocation should
prioritize the integration of
affected communities,
preserving their cultural
dynamics and involving them in
decision-making.
WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE CASE OF THE
NUEVA VIDA NEIGHBORHOOD
Infrastructure
is
Fundamental
Investing in resilient
infrastructure is crucial for the
long-term sustainability of
relocated communities.
Economic Monitoring
Opportunities and Evaluation
Drive Stability are Essential
Sustainable development Robust monitoring and
requires creating economic evaluation mechanisms are
opportunities to reduce critical to assess the impact of
dependency on aid and interventions and guide
donations. adjustments for ongoing
success.
Some questions to reflect:
When does relocation become the only option?

How can urban planning strike a balance between immediate crisis response and
long-term resilience, ensuring relocated communities thrive in the face of future
challenges?

Considering Nueva Vida, what mechanisms can be implemented to enhance

government accountability in the post-relocation phase, ensuring ongoing
responsiveness to the needs of relocated populations?

How can you empower and actively involve affected communities in decision-making
and post-disaster initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership in their new
environment?
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