Landscape Responses to Inland Flooding Impacts: A Case Study of Ba, Fiji Islands.

<p><strong>As climate change continues to be an ever-increasing global issue, low socio-economic countries in the South Pacific face catastrophic and irreversible environmental and economic impacts. Fiji, in particular, faces significant challenges such as flooding due to its location and position along the Pacific coastline. Observations show both high and low socio-economic countries experience similar numbers of natural disasters affecting comparable numbers of people. However people in lower socio-economic countries are 12 times more likely to die from natural disasters and suffer severe economic impact due to the lack of resources and mitigation methods.</strong></p><p>This research proposal aims to address the ongoing issues of flooding in low socio-economic regions by using innovative design methods. Focusing on Ba, Fiji Islands, this thesis intends to apply these strategies to other South Pacific countries facing similar climate change challenges. The approach will involve cost-efficient methods, including communal participation, traditional techniques, and the use of sustainable and locally sourced materials.</p><p>The proposal hones into the exploration of key innovative design methods to address flooding in the current and future, including narrative and experimental measures that focus on community involvement and storytelling, traditional knowledge and techniques, nature-based design, sustainable living, and materials.</p><p>These measures aim to enhance social and economic resilience of local communities in Ba by improving green infrastructure, enhancing ecosystem services through restoration and preservation of natural systems that assist with flood mitigation, and enhance human well-being.</p>