In the Terrain: Leveraging Jamaica's Terrain and Waterways for Water Sensitivity and Security
Author
Samuda, Saleem Antonio Akeem
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-28
Pages
65
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Jamaica kan udnytte sit bjergrige terræn og tætte net af vandveje til at opbygge et mere vandfølsomt og sikkert vandsystem under klimaforandringer. På trods af høj nedbør efterlades mange lokalsamfund sårbare på grund af ulig adgang, aldrende infrastruktur og hurtig afstrømning til havet (anslået ca. 6.500 MCM/år), hvor omkring 30% af befolkningen er afhængige af sekundære forsyninger. Med udgangspunkt i vandfølsom byudvikling og socio-økologisk resiliens undersøger specialet, hvordan naturlige og hybride løsninger – herunder depressionsbaseret opmagasinering, grundvandsopladning og en strategi for “langsommere” hydrologi – kan supplere eksisterende grå infrastruktur. En mixed-methods tilgang kombinerer politik- og institutionsgennemgang, semistrukturerede interviews og et casestudie i Clarendon Parish. GIS-analyser kortlægger landskab, arealdække, nedbør, overflade- og grundvandsdynamikker, vandbalance og konnektivitet; klassificerer lavninger og ripariske elementer (fx meandersøer); og undersøger netværksoptimering for at opfange afstrømning og øge lagerkapaciteten. Specialet skitserer desuden faseopdelt implementering, styringsmuligheder og kapacitetsopbygning for at forbedre teknisk ydeevne og social accept samt overvejer fordele, risici og tilpasningsgevinster ved centrale klimatrusler. De foreliggende sider præsenterer problemfelt og metode frem for empiriske resultater; den tilsigtede nytte er en terræn-baseret ramme, der peger på muligheder for lokal opbevaring af vand, reduktion af flodtoppe, styrket tørkeresiliens og en vej for Jamaicas transition fra primært grå, centraliserede løsninger til integreret, vandfølsom forvaltning relevant for små østater.
This thesis examines how Jamaica can leverage its mountainous terrain and dense network of waterways to build a more water-sensitive and secure system under climate change. Despite high rainfall, inequities in access, aging infrastructure, and rapid runoff to the sea (estimated at about 6,500 MCM/year) leave many communities vulnerable, with roughly 30% relying on secondary supplies. Framed by water-sensitive urban design and socio-ecological resilience, the study explores how natural and hybrid interventions—such as depression-based storage, aquifer recharge, and a strategy of slower hydrology—can complement existing gray systems. A mixed-methods approach combines policy and institutional review, semi-structured interviews, and a case-study focus on Clarendon Parish. GIS analyses map landform, land cover, rainfall, surface and groundwater dynamics, water balance, and connectivity; classify depressions and riparian elements (e.g., oxbows); and explore network optimization to capture runoff and enhance storage. The thesis also outlines phased implementation, governance options, and capacity development to improve technical performance and social acceptance, and considers benefits, risks, and adaptation gains for key climate hazards. While the provided pages present the problem framing and methods rather than empirical results, the intended contribution is a terrain-based framework that identifies opportunities to store water locally, reduce flood peaks, bolster drought resilience, and guide Jamaica’s transition from predominantly gray, centralized systems toward integrated, water-sensitive management relevant to small island states.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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