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University of Arkansas

The Effects of Urban Development and the Incidence of Flooding and Discharge Changes from 1956-2016: a case study from Juan Diaz Township, Republic of Panama

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The increase in flood occurrences in the Township of Juan Diaz has affected thousands of families and hundreds of businesses and has negatively impacted the lives of thousands of residents, who expect the worse every time there is a prolonged period of rain. Some of the residents lose their appliances, cars, furniture and houses every year. This study examines the relationship between urban development and flooding. Also, it addresses the influences of topography, green cover, population changes, runoff changes, and social dynamics on this relationship. This study implemented the use of thematic cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), personal interviews and field observations to ascertain if there a strict relationship between urban development and flooding. The results of this study indicate that there are correlations between urban development and flooding. As the impervious surfaces increase so does flood magnitude (runoff) and frequency (number of flood occurrences). Also, this study demonstrates that the magnitude and frequency of flooding is closely related to deforestation, the topography and hydrography of the land, and the exponential increase in population currently affecting Panama. </p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science in Geography (MS)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Year dc:date.available
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Quintero Rodriguez, Virgilio De Jesus
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Paradise, Thomas R.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Davidson, Fiona M.
  • Erickson, Kirstin C.

Subjects

dc:subject × 11

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3424
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-4974

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Arkansas
Base URL
scholarworks.uark.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Quintero Rodriguez, Virgilio De Jesus. The Effects of Urban Development and the Incidence of Flooding and Discharge Changes from 1956-2016: a case study from Juan Diaz Township, Republic of Panama. Thesis thesis, 2019. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3424