Lessons Learnt from the 2012 Flood Disaster: Implications for Post-flood Building Design and Construction in Yenagoa, Nigeria

Studies have shown that most parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital fall within the high-risk flood zone of Nigeria and are susceptible to annual flooding. However, the 2012 flood was unusual in magnitude and led to the inundation of entire communities, the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. About five years have elapsed since the floods and new construction projects have resumed in some of the hardest hit areas of Yenagoa. This paper draws on data from a survey of 400 new residential dwellings around areas hardest hit by the flood in Yenagoa. The survey involved interviews with home owners and developers in selected areas, to investigate possible lessons learnt in building design, material use and construction in the region. The results of the survey show the percentage of developers who took precautionary measures in increasing flood resilience and those who did not; the factors that have influenced these decisions and level of professional involvement.