This study analyses household adaptation strategies to recurrent urban flooding in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in a context of increasing hydrometeorological hazards linked to climate change. Based on a survey conducted between July and September 2022 among 1026 households in flood-prone neighborhoods, this study highlights the range of preventive structural measures adopted and examines their socio-economic determinants. Results show that households consistently use at least one means of protection, most often protective belts, solid or permanent construction, perforation of fences, and raising of door thresholds. However, the adoption, accumulation and quality of these measures vary markedly depending on education level, housing tenure and household income. Households that are more educated, wealthier and homeowners invest more frequently in sustainable and costly measures such as solid construction and elevation of housing, while poorer households and tenants use the low-cost or temporary strategies. Perceived effectiveness also reflects these inequalities: nearly 60% of respondents judge their measures “not effective”, with negative evaluations concentrated among low-income and less-educated groups. Conversely, the highest income categories report strong satisfaction with the performance of the implemented measures. Overall, the findings reveal significant socio-economic disparities in preventive investments and perceptions of protection measures, highlighting differentiated vulnerability to flooding and the need for targeted interventions to strengthen household resilience.
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