This study addresses the interplay between the domains of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in coastal – urban areas to enhance resilience in the face of environmental challenges. The aim of this research is to develop a policy framework to improve integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies in coastal – urban areas, with specific reference to Nigeria. The study employs a qualitative method of research engaged in 17 personal interviews, 14 case study interviews conducted in Delta and Lagos states and notably 10 policy documents review. The cases included interactions with government officials and selected categories of stakeholders from the study area. Policy documents were analysed and coding undertaken deductively using 3 analytical categories: strengths, weaknesses and integration gaps. The Nvivo 12 Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) software, facilitated data organization, storage, retrieval, and management through the process of coding and theme development. This allowed for data querying and supported accountability through memos. The study implements an embedded multiple-case design in which the primary unit of analysis is the governance system for integration in Nigeria’s coastal-urban areas. The embedded sub-units include policy frameworks, stakeholder institutions, and case study contexts. The CCA, DRR and policy integration serve as analytical themes for interpreting the data. The researcher interpreted the research data by assigning meaning to texts and making final decisions on themes by providing contexts and ensuring that findings align with research goals. The core findings of this study include weak institutional capacities, increased urbanization and high exposure of vulnerable population to climate and disaster risks. It also includes fragmented governance and policy incoherence, inconsistent integration and policy alignments, data, knowledge and communication gaps, community participation deficit as well as financial constraints. From this study, policymakers had suggested public, private partnership (PPP) approach to tackle barriers identified. Government officials hold on to a holistic approach, the NGOs/CBOs suggest an inclusive participatory approach whilst experts/academia held the view that inter-disciplinary stakeholder collaboration will make up for any constraints. The study developed and recommends a policy framework (the CCA-DRR Governance Integration Framework CD-GIF), an empirically derived model that conceptualizes integration as a function of interdependent governance domain tailored to the Nigerian multi-dimensional context(s). The framework aims to enhance the synergy between climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies, fostering a multi - faceted and integrated approach to address the numerous challenges posed by climate change and disasters in coastal - urban areas. The outcome of this research would serve as a foundation for actions and future research on integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction within the scope of study. This research study also offers a novel integration framework that advances upon existing approaches by introducing a more accessible and adaptive mechanism for coordinating diverse systems. Unlike previous frameworks, it enables vibrant interoperability and real - time data management, significantly enhancing efficiency and flexibility in a complex environment.
| Date of Award | 18 Jun 2026 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Michael Ginger (Main Supervisor) & Dilanthi Amaratunga (Co-Supervisor) |
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