Infusing Resilience For Climate Change In Peri-Urban Communities In Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study explores essential ways to increase the resilience of periurban areas is to invest in social capital by developing civic engagement mechanisms. It advances the argument that climate change in peri-urban settings has affected their resilience and adaptation. Zimbabweans’ livelihoods in peri-urban areas depend mostly on the agro-industry. Furthermore, they depend on biofuels for energy hence they need to build resilience to survive the impact of climate change. This article makes use of a desktop study where it reviews available literature cases and experiences in peri-urban communities in Zimbabwe and beyond. Evidence from the sources show that research on climate change resilience in peri-urban areas has been explored but not critically dissected the implications of climate change on peri-urbanites and their livelihoods, hence this study was done to formulate strategy on how to mitigate the impact and build resilience. The study recommends the utilisation of social ties to improve everyone's access to water. In the negotiation of water insecurity, cooperative and familial norms are crucial. Their water security was enhanced by providing fora for civic engagement and creating social capital. While peri-urban water insecurity issues have attracted a lot of attention, little has been written about the function of social capital in mediating water insecurity. While researchers have been interested in how social capital plays a part in coping with the effects of climate change, there has not been much research done in a peri-urban setting, hence this study aims to close the knowledge gap.