Building Greater Flood Resilience in Dar es Salaam


Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Stormwater Drainage System

Dar es Salaam’s stormwater drainage system required a comprehensive response to recurrent severe flooding across one of East Africa’s largest urban areas. Covering approximately 1,350 km² and serving a population of around four million at the time of the project, the programme was designed to strengthen the city’s resilience through the rehabilitation, expansion and improvement of its drainage infrastructure.

The project combined the assessment of existing infrastructure with hydrological and climatological studies, hydraulic and hydrological modelling and the development of a comprehensive drainage plan. Detailed designs were prepared for new and rehabilitated infrastructure, including drainage channels, pipe networks and detention ponds. The technical work was complemented by an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, an Environmental and Social Management Plan and a Resettlement Action Plan, developed in accordance with World Bank requirements and Tanzanian legislation.

Key numbers

Market

PT+MEA

Sector

Sustainable Cities

Services

Sustainability and Environment

Engineering

Location

Dar es Salaam, Tanzânia

Year

2014

Status

Concluded

Client

PMO-RALG – Gabinete do Primeiro-Ministro, Administração Regional e Governo Local

Study area

1 350 km²

Population served

4M

By combining drainage planning, hydraulic modelling and detailed infrastructure design with environmental and social assessment, the project established an integrated strategy to reduce flood risk across the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Area. The proposed interventions addressed both existing infrastructure deficiencies and the need to extend drainage coverage, while identifying mitigation and resettlement measures to manage the environmental and social impacts associated with implementation.