PROCEDURAL (FLOOD) JUSTICE AND MARGINALIZATION IN COMMUNITY ADAPTATION AND DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

Climate change intensifies urban flooding, yet adaptation governance routinely excludes the most vulnerable communities from decision-making. This descriptive mixed-methods study examines procedural justice in flood adaptation governance in Islamabad, Pakistan, focusing on the inclusion and exclusion of marginalised populations. Grounded in the just sustainability framework, it addresses a critical empirical gap in Global South climate justice research. Quantitative survey data (N = 450 households) were collected across planned sectors, recognised informal settlements, and unrecognised informal settlements, complemented by 35 semi-structured interviews and five focus group discussions with residents, community leaders, government officials, and civil society actors. Findings reveal near-total procedural exclusion: only 2.4% of respondents reported ever being consulted in flood adaptation decisions, with zero participation documented in both recognised and unrecognised informal settlements. Key barriers include lack of information (62.2%), absence of consultation mechanisms (58.9%), institutional distrust (47.8%), and gendered exclusion. Qualitative findings show that non-recognition of informal settlements, tokenistic participation, and a reactive governance culture systematically produce procedural injustice. Despite exclusion, communities demonstrate significant agency through informal adaptation strategies, and 78.2% support inclusive governance. The study concludes that procedural justice is foundational to equitable flood adaptation, requiring institutional recognition of informal settlements, gender-sensitive participation mechanisms, and a shift from reactive to participatory governance.