Urban Flood Modelling: A Geospatial Evaluation of Drainage Systems for Resilient City Planning in Lusaka

Abstract

This study presents a flood modelling approach aimed at enhancing planning strategies to mitigate flooding impacts in LusakaCity. By integrating factors such as slope, hydrostatic potential surface, and the built environment, a predictive flood modelwas developed. The methodology involved using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and digital elevationmodels (DEMs) to assess geological features and manmade structures. Precipitation patterns and water demand analysesaided in computing a hydrostatic potential surface through watershed delineation. The generated flood model producedcomprehensive flood maps illustrating water drainage in Lusaka, identifying vulnerable areas using Multi-Criteria DecisionAnalysis (MCDA) techniques. Results highlight the complex interaction between geographical features and humaninfrastructure in flood dynamics. This study contributes to informing zoning policies and disaster response planning, aimingto reduce the impact of future flooding events.