Project context and challenge
Many neighbourhoods of Greater Monrovia flood every rainy season. Heavy rainfall overwhelms drains that are too small, blocked by solid waste or missing altogether, and dense informal settlements leave little room for water to go. Flooding damages homes and businesses, cuts off roads and markets, and creates health risks. In Northern Bushrod Island alone, home to about 232,000 people, some 30,000 to 40,000 residents are affected by floods, a number expected to rise to around 55,000 by 2050 as the city grows and the climate changes.
Through the Liberia Urban Resilience Project, funded by the World Bank, the Ministry of Public Works aims to reduce flood risk and improve living conditions in four of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods: Northern Bushrod Island, the Omega Market area, Central Monrovia and Southeastern Paynesville. The challenge is to design solutions that work in crowded urban areas, are supported by the communities and can actually be built and maintained.
CDR’s approach and contribution
CDR leads a joint venture with Liberian consultancy Earthtime, supported by Deltares, urban planners VE-R and INGEO2. The work covers the full chain from feasibility studies to construction.
The team started with topographic and geotechnical surveys and built hydrological and hydraulic models to understand how water flows through each neighbourhood. Community mapping identified local needs and priorities. In a series of multi-criteria workshops, residents, local leaders and the Project Management Unit helped shape and prioritise the interventions, which were brought together in a Local Area Resilience Plan for each location.
The flood models were run for present and future conditions, including a severe climate change scenario, so that the measures remain effective as rainfall intensifies and the city keeps growing. Special attention was given to solid waste, which blocks drains around markets and homes, and to designs that are simple to build and maintain with local means.
The plans combine blue, green and grey solutions: cleaning and repairing existing drains, new channels, culverts and outlets, temporary storage areas and green spaces, together with community facilities such as water points, sanitation and public spaces. For the priority areas, CDR prepares preliminary and detailed designs, technical specifications and bidding documents, alongside environmental and social impact assessments and resettlement action plans.
Result
The project is ongoing. Local Area Resilience Plans have been prepared, and detailed designs for the first neighbourhoods, including the Atlantic side of Northern Bushrod Island in New Kru Town, are being finalised.
In Northern Bushrod Island, the planned interventions are expected to protect around 8,500 to 14,000 people and 2,000 to 3,000 buildings from flooding. CDR will continue to support the Ministry during procurement and construction.
