Integrated knowledge systems towards flood resilience and sustainable solid waste management in South African urban informal settlements

This article outlines how integrating scientific, practitioner and local knowledge systems can strengthen disaster risk reduction—particularly flood resilience and sustainable solid waste management—in South African urban informal settlements. Using the Quarry Road West settlement in eThekwini as a case study, it examines why waste accumulation amplifies flood impacts, how different knowledge actors currently respond, and where gaps in coordination persist. 

The article recommends institutionalising knowledge‑sharing platforms, embedding community‑generated data into municipal planning, and adopting integrated governance frameworks that treat waste management as a core component of climate adaptation. It highlights the value of co‑produced early warning systems, nature‑based solutions, and inclusive decision‑making processes, encouraging municipalities and partners to adopt long‑term, collaborative approaches that enhance resilience in informal settlements.