Wind as a Determinant of Resilient Infrastructure in Aweil East and Aweil South, South Sudan

Abstract

Wind is a critical environmental variable influencing infrastructure design, resilience, and sustainability in flood-prone and semi-arid regions. In Aweil East and Aweil South, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan, wind patterns interact with fragile ecosystems, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and increasing climate variability. Over the recent past, fluctuations in rainfall timing, dry-season length, and localized storm activity have likely affected prevailing wind regimes and hazard profiles, though high-resolution observations remain limited. Land-surface changes, such as reduced vegetation cover and soil exposure, can contribute to higher near-surface wind speeds and gustiness, with implications for housing, public facilities, transport corridors, and community resilience. This study examines wind as a planning factor in infrastructure development, highlighting its implications for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Findings emphasize the need for wind hazard mapping, structural reinforcement, and integration of wind considerations into policy frameworks for climate-resilient infrastructure planning.

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