Vulnerable narratives to drive resilience strategies in Tanzania's island cities

Luca Battisti; Giulia Marro; Egidio Dansero; Luca Battisti; Giulia Marro; Egidio Dansero

doi:10.3934/geosci.2026007

AIMS Geosciences

2026, Volume 12, Issue 1: 174-205. doi: 10.3934/geosci.2026007

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Vulnerable narratives to drive resilience strategies in Tanzania's island cities

1.
Department of Cultures, Politics and Society, University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena, 100, 10153 Turin, Italy
2.
OMERO—Interdepartmental Research Centre for Urban and Mega-Events Studies, University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena, 100, 10153 Turin, Italy

Received: 30 April 2025 Revised: 14 October 2025 Accepted: 25 November 2025 Published: 09 February 2026

Grounded in theories of eco-resilience and inclusive urban governance, this research investigated how participatory and visual methodologies elevate marginalized voices—particularly those of women and persons with disabilities (PWDs)—within sustainable urban development processes in Pemba Island, Tanzania. The study employed focus group discussions (FGD), photo elicitation techniques, and semi-structured interviews conducted in the municipalities of Chake Chake and Mkoani, where socio-economic and environmental pressures disproportionately affect underrepresented communities. Findings show that co-created knowledge and shared decision-making within development cooperation not only reveal local vulnerabilities but also support more equitable urban planning. Participants highlighted critical challenges, including limited access to healthcare and water, inadequate waste management, climate-related risks, and unsafe public spaces. The integration of vulnerable narratives emerges as a strategic tool for enhancing urban resilience and shaping inclusive policy interventions. Methodological reflections emphasize the ethical imperatives of participatory research and its capacity to generate actionable insights for sustainable urban transformation in African coastal island settings.
- participatory methodologies,
- women's empowerment,
- disability inclusion,
- Pemba Island,
- sustainable urban development
Citation: Luca Battisti, Giulia Marro, Egidio Dansero. Vulnerable narratives to drive resilience strategies in Tanzania's island cities[J]. AIMS Geosciences, 2026, 12(1): 174-205. doi: 10.3934/geosci.2026007

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Abstract

Grounded in theories of eco-resilience and inclusive urban governance, this research investigated how participatory and visual methodologies elevate marginalized voices—particularly those of women and persons with disabilities (PWDs)—within sustainable urban development processes in Pemba Island, Tanzania. The study employed focus group discussions (FGD), photo elicitation techniques, and semi-structured interviews conducted in the municipalities of Chake Chake and Mkoani, where socio-economic and environmental pressures disproportionately affect underrepresented communities. Findings show that co-created knowledge and shared decision-making within development cooperation not only reveal local vulnerabilities but also support more equitable urban planning. Participants highlighted critical challenges, including limited access to healthcare and water, inadequate waste management, climate-related risks, and unsafe public spaces. The integration of vulnerable narratives emerges as a strategic tool for enhancing urban resilience and shaping inclusive policy interventions. Methodological reflections emphasize the ethical imperatives of participatory research and its capacity to generate actionable insights for sustainable urban transformation in African coastal island settings.

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