A system archetype approach to identify behavioural patterns in flood risk management: Case study of Cameroon

Abstract

Flood risk is a global phenomenon affecting developed and less developed countries alike. Although developed countries are better equipped to handle the consequences of flood events due to investments in disaster risk reduction measures, less developed countries are struggling to cope with this challenge. This can be attributed to the complexities of managing floods while ensuring environmental sustainability, which are yet to be fully understood. As such, developing strategies to manage floods, adapt, and build resilience requires understanding the complex relationships between socioeconomic, environmental, and infrastructural factors to promote policy development in sustainable flood risk management. System archetypes provide a framework for understanding complex system behaviour and assessment of intended and unintended consequences of policy actions. Using the coastal city of Limbe as a case study, this paper identified and analysed four key system archetypes that define flood risk management in Limbe; - ‘fixes that fail’, ‘shifting the burden’, ‘limits to growth/success’ and ‘growth and under-investment’. Findings from the study underscore that policy availability does not directly translate to policy implementation and that Limbe's operational policies prioritise quick fixes for flood symptoms, often leading to unintended consequences, emphasizing the need for adaptive, flexible policies. Some leverage points are discussed to improve the sustainable management of floods and advocate for policies that consider long-term sustainability within its urban planning system, considering future urban and population growth to ensure sustainability in the short, medium, and long run.