DRC Second Transport and Connectivity Support Project

Adaptation Need

GCA’s analysis revealed that RN2 corridor faces a range of climate hazards, including extreme temperatures, landslides, drought, and river flooding. Section 2 is particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures and river flooding. These risks threaten the integrity of road infrastructure, particularly pavements, culverts, bridges, and ferry terminals. Without adaptation, climate-related damages could quadruple by 2050, reaching over $1.2 million/year under RCP8.5. Pluvial flooding poses the greatest threat, accounting for 54% of expected losses. In some segments, flood depths may reach up to 5.5 meters. These diverse climate risks emphasize the critical need for adaptation measures to safeguard the road corridor which DRC’s key value chains, key resources and communities depend on, thereby supporting the sustainable development of the DRC.

GCA’s Added Value

To address these challenges, GCA economically prioritized a suite of adaptation measures, ranging from grey infrastructure solutions like reinforced culverts and retaining walls, to green and hybrid approaches such as bioengineered slopes and reforestation. These measures were developed through a participatory process involving local stakeholders, government agencies, and technical experts, ensuring they are context-appropriate and socially inclusive. Along with the measures, GCA also provided technical guidelines on how to implement them in the DRC context. Lastly, GCA is strengthening local capacity for resilient transport planning by engaging stakeholders and delivering targeted training through the AAAP Masterclass on Climate Resilient Infrastructure.
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