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Socially inclusive infrastructure for disaster risk reduction in urban planning: insights from the SADC region
Wilfred Lunga, Gcina Malandela, Jane M. Kaifa, Caiphus Baloyi, Charles Musarurwa, Tlou Millicent Ramoroka, Olivia Kunguma. Frontiers in Built Environment, 2025-05-16
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Introduction The accelerating pace of urbanization in the 21st century has intensified the need for inclusive and resilient infrastructure development, particularly in the face of rising socio-economic inequalities and escalating disaster risks. This study explores the integration of social equity dimensions and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) principles within urban planning frameworks as a pathway toward sustainable and resilient urban futures. Methods A qualitative research design was adopted, drawing on a triangulated methodology that includes document analysis, an extensive literature review, and selected case studies on urban planning practices. These methods were employed to interrogate current urban development paradigms and assess the extent to which equity and resilience are operationalized in planning processes. Results Findings indicate that, despite growing theoretical advancements in equitable and risk-sensitive urban development, significant systemic challenges remain. These include limited community participation in planning processes, persistent institutional silos, and resource constraints that hinder transformative action. The analysis further reveals that current urban governance mechanisms often lack the capacity to meaningfully integrate long-term resilience and equity considerations. Discussion In response to these challenges, the study recommends a paradigm shift in urban planning towards the adoption of future-oriented and participatory approaches. Key policy recommendations include: (1) embedding equity-focused DRR strategies within urban development policies; (2) fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to bridge institutional divides; and (3) mainstreaming anticipatory and inclusive planning models in urban governance systems. Such integrative approaches are essential for aligning infrastructure development with the broader goals of social justice, environmental sustainability, and urban resilience.
Key findings
- Results Findings indicate that, despite growing theoretical advancements in equitable and risk-sensitive urban development, significant systemic challenges remain.
Why it matters
This study is about socially inclusive infrastructure for disaster risk reduction in urban planning in the SADC region and contains no information on Alzheimer's disease. It reports no findings relevant to treating, curing or preventing dementia.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 38/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in Built Environment) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Frontiers in Built Environment: journal h-index 61 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 13 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 4.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 24.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 13 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Olivia Kunguma: h-index 8 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | North-West University: institution h-index 360 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 6 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 38 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Lunga, W., Malandela, G., Kaifa, J. M., Baloyi, C., Musarurwa, C., Ramoroka, T. M., et al. (2025). Socially inclusive infrastructure for disaster risk reduction in urban planning: insights from the SADC region. Frontiers in Built Environment. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1586040
Vancouver
Lunga W, Malandela G, Kaifa JM, Baloyi C, Musarurwa C, Ramoroka TM, et al. Socially inclusive infrastructure for disaster risk reduction in urban planning: insights from the SADC region. Frontiers in Built Environment. 2025. doi:10.3389/fbuil.2025.1586040.
BibTeX
@article{lunga2025-1fd393cc,
author = {Lunga, Wilfred and Malandela, Gcina and Kaifa, Jane M. and Baloyi, Caiphus and Musarurwa, Charles and Ramoroka, Tlou Millicent and Kunguma, Olivia},
title = {{Socially inclusive infrastructure for disaster risk reduction in urban planning: insights from the SADC region}},
journal = {Frontiers in Built Environment},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3389/fbuil.2025.1586040},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1586040}
}