Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Geographical Information System in mapping flood vulnerability in informal settlements in a South African context

A critical review

Bibliographic Data

ID21540544
AuthorsGarikai Martin Membele (0000-0003-1863-5533, Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, Durban, South Africa, corresponding author), Maheshvari Naidu (0000-0003-0398-3834, Anthropology, University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Humanities, Durban, South Africa), Onisimo Mutanga (0000-0002-7358-8111, Environmental Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, Durban, South Africa)
Year2022
Volume104
Issue4
Pages446-466
Publication date2022-10-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSouth African Geographical Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0373-6245 • E-ISSN: 2151-2418
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03736245.2021.1973907
OpenAlexW3200356069
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited48

Climate change and the multidimensional nature of flood vulnerability, necessitate an in-depth consideration of experiential knowledge in reducing flood vulnerability in geospatial environments such as informal settlements. The objective of this paper is to provide a critical review of literature and scholarship in the context of the integration of Indigenous Knowledge and Geographical Information System in mapping flood vulnerability in South Africa. Keywords were searched in two databases for empirical studies that integrated Indigenous Knowledge and Geographical Informal System in mapping flood vulnerability in South Africa. The search extended to literature cited in the papers identified from the databases. The studies were thematically analysed and synthesized. The findings reveal that flood vulnerability in South Africa is mainly considered from an integrated perspective. Approaches used to integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Geographical Information Systems in mapping flood vulnerability are fragmented. There is a lack of sensitivity analysis and map validation, limited use of Indigenous Knowledge as well as inadequate community participation in the mapping of flood vulnerability in informal settlements. This critical review demonstrates the need for a comprehensive, explicit and participatory approach for integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Geographical Information System that genuinely utilize the special characteristics that each of them possesses

Archaeology · Cartography · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Flood myth · Geography · Geospatial analysis · Human settlement · Indigenous · Traditional knowledge · Climate change impacts on agriculture · Computer Science · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Ecology

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