Improvement of resilience of urban areas by integrating social perception in flash-flood risk management

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.02.005
• Publication Date: 2016-02-13T23:00:59Z
• Authors: J.M. Bodoque; M. Amérigo; A. Díez-Herrero; J.A. García; B. Cortés; J.A. Ballesteros-...; J. Olcina
• Keywords: Risk; BF Psychology; Flash flood; Q Science (General); emergency management plan; Central Spain; 01 natural sciences; QE Geology; social resilience; Emergency management plan; 13. Climate action; Social resilience; Análisis Geográfico Regional; 11. Sustainability; TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering; flash flood; risk; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

In urban areas prone to flash floods, characterization of social resilience is critical to guarantee the success of emergency management plans. In this study, we present the methodological approach that led to the submission and subsequent approval of the Civil Protection Plan of Navaluenga (Central Spain), in which the first phase was to analyse flood hazard by combining the Hydrological Modelling System (HECHMS) and the Iber 2D hydrodynamic model. We then analysed social vulnerability and designed measures to put into practice within the framework of the Civil Protection Plan. At a later phase, we assessed citizens' flash-flood risk perception and level of awareness regarding some key variables of the Civil Protection Plan. To this end, 254 adults representing roughly 12% of the population census were interviewed. Responses were analysed descriptively, comparing awareness regarding preparedness and response actions with the corresponding information and behaviours previously defined in the Civil Protection Plan. In addition, we carried out a latent class cluster analysis aimed at identifying the different groups present among the interviewees. Our results showed that risk perception is low. Specifically, 60.8% of the interviewees showed low risk perception and low awareness (cluster 1); 24.4% had high risk perception and low awareness (cluster 2), while the remaining 14.8% presented high long-term risk perception and high awareness (cluster 3). These findings suggest the need for integrating these key variables of social risk perception and local tailored information in emergency management plans, especially in urban areas prone to flash-floods where response times are limited. Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, España Grupo de Investigación en Psicología Ambiental, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, España Departamento de Investigación en Recursos Geológicos, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Suiza Dendrolab, Institute of Geosciences, University of Bern, Suiza Departamento de Análisis Regional y Geografía Física, Universidad de Alicante, España