Investigating the Livelihoods of the Population Dependent on Natural Resources and their Concerns Regarding Climate Change

The ACC Dar project aims to improve the effectiveness of municipal initiatives in Dar es Salaam that support the efforts of those coastal peri-urban dwellers, partially or totally dependent on natural resources, to adapt to Climate Change (CC) impacts. More specifically, the action will enhance the capacities of Dar's municipalities by increasing their understanding of adaptation practices and by providing them with enhanced methodologies for mainstreaming adaptation into their Urban Development and Environment Management (UDEM) strategies and plans. The achievement of these objectives will contribute to the overall goal of improving implementation of the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) of the United Republic of Tanzania. In order to build a better understanding of adaptation, two extensive surveys have been conducted. First, a questionnaire was administered to almost 6000 households in Dar's coastal plain to investigate livelihoods and identify issues of concern related to CC. Second, officials from the Dar City Council and its three municipalities were interviewed to gather information on any current activities related to UDEM and to CC adaptation. Third, an ongoing series of public events using the Forum Theatre technique are exploring future options for autonomous adaptation and raising awareness on CC among inhabitants of the target area. This report presents the analysis of data from the household questionnaires, and proposes a framework for assessment of the adaptive capacity of people living in the peri-urban areas of coastal Dar es Salaam.