Urban Flooding in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo: Current Knowledge and Gaps

Abstract

Urban flooding has become an increasingly recurrent and disruptive phenomenon in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), driven by a combination of climatic variability, rapid and unregulated urbanization, and inadequate drainage infrastructure. This narrative mini review synthesizes the current state of knowledge on the causes, impacts, and management strategies of floods in Kisangani. It highlights the predominance of rainfall intensity, land cover change, and poor urban planning as key drivers of flood risk. The review also examines the socioeconomic and health impacts on vulnerable populations, as well as the limited and often reactive institutional responses. Importantly, it identifies several methodological approaches—such as remote sensing-based flood mapping and integrated urban planning models—widely applied in similar African contexts but not yet adopted in Kisangani. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for context-specific, anticipatory flood management strategies supported by modern geospatial and participatory tools.