Climate change and urban health vulnerability

There is increasing awareness of the impacts of climate change on the health of urban residents. Although Thailand has seen relatively low rates of urbanization compared to its ASEAN counterparts, cities across the country are growing.

This study examines the climate change and urban health vulnerability of suburban Pralab, Khon Kaen City, in the northeast of Thailand. Empirical data are drawn from a field study using focus groups and in-depth interviews, and statistics recorded by local government agencies, as well as previous recent research on the study site. 

This study found that the urbanization of Khon Kaen has led to profound physical and socioeconomic changes in Pralab. Infrastructure such as roads often acts as dykes, preventing or slowing water drainage, and leading to longer periods of flooding. The effect of the floods on the health of the residents is intensified by wastewater discharged from the city drainage system into the suburban area of Pralab. The study examines the increased health vulnerability of suburban areas, which can be attributed to urban growth and climate change, and puts forwards recommendations to deal with the impacts of increasing climate variability.

Available from:

http://pubs.iied.org/10774IIED.html?c=urban