Analysis Of Housing Vulnerability And Local Adaptation Strategies To Climate Risks In The City Of Bol, Lake Province, Chad, Central Africa

Abstract

Climate change poses a major challenge for Sahelian cities such as Bol, located in the Lac province of Chad, a region classified as one of the world's climate change hotspots. In this city, the vulnerability of the built environment remains insufficiently documented. Against this backdrop, this study analyses the main climate risks, their impact on housing types and local adaptation strategies in the city of Bol. The methodology adopted is based on a mixed approach combining the analysis of long-term climate data (1982–2022), surveys of 385 households, interviews, field observations and statistical analyses (χ²), supported by GIS tools. Three types of housing (traditional, semi-modern and modern) were analysed. The results show strong seasonality in climate risks, with flooding and erosion predominating in the wet season and heat waves, fires, and strong winds in the dry season. All types of housing are vulnerable, although in different ways. Local adaptation strategies are mainly structural, autonomous and reactive. This research makes an original contribution by offering a holistic view of the physical vulnerability of housing, integrating climate, social perceptions and construction types, and providing key elements to guide adaptation policies in Sahelian cities.