The Faculty of Built Environment at Accra Technical University (ATU) has called for more practical and innovative approaches to building communities that can better prepare for and recover from flooding.
The call came during a public lecture on “Building Resilient Communities: Lessons from the UK Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme,” which brought students and faculty together to learn from approaches being tested in the United Kingdom. The programme was held on 15th September 2026 at the University’s Akwaaba Lodge.
The Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, Surv. Dr. Mark Brookman, said in his welcoming address that flooding requires closer attention to the challenges facing communities and the practical solutions that can make them more resilient. He stressed the need to look beyond physical infrastructure and consider how communities themselves can contribute to solutions.
He said building resilience also requires stronger collaboration among researchers, authorities and communities, with local knowledge helping to shape responses that reflect the realities on the ground.
The Faculty Research Representative, Surv. Roger Danladi added that rapid urbanisation and flooding continue to put pressure on communities and infrastructure. He said the Faculty has an important role in developing practical, innovative and sustainable solutions through research, teaching and professional practice.
He also encouraged students to use their training to think differently about these challenges and develop solutions that respond to real community needs.
Delivering the main lecture, Professor David Proverbs revealed the UK has continued to experience growing flood risks despite significant investment in flood protection.
He pointed to a recent national assessment which estimates that about 6.3 million homes are at risk of flooding in the UK, an increase of more than one million from the previous assessment. This, he said, has created a need for new ways of thinking about flood resilience.
Professor David shared lessons from the UK’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme, a £200 million initiative supporting 25 projects across the country.
Drawing on the FAIR Project, he explained that effective flood resilience goes beyond physical infrastructure. Communities must also be involved in identifying risks and developing solutions.
The project brings residents together with local authorities, researchers and other organisations. It uses local knowledge alongside measures such as improved flood warnings, smart monitoring and property-level protection.
He added that the experience has also shown the importance of trust, local leadership and strong relationships within communities. Rather than simply informing residents about decisions, communities are involved from the beginning and help shape solutions that reflect their circumstances.
The lecture offered students and faculty practical lessons on how research, technology and community knowledge can work together in addressing flood risks, while opening further discussion on how these approaches could be adapted to Ghana’s own communities.
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