Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
20
Socio-Psychological Dimensions
of Flood Risk Management
SUE TAPSELL
Introduction
people (Pitt 2008, p. 15). Apart from loss of life and
serious injury, flood events may also impact upon
other aspects of human health and well-being and
upon social relations, as well as causing extensive
damage to properties, infrastructure and the
natural environment. In the past, the intangible
socio-psychological aspects of flooding were large-
ly ignored both in policy terms and in practice.
Technological solutions to flood riskwere empha-
sized and impact analysis tended to focus on eco-
nomic and financial damage and losses (Brown and
Damery 2002). In addition, the response to hazards
de\monstrated a 'command and control' mentality
that focused on clean-up and the rescue of survi-
vors. However, recent years have seen an increased
recognition of the social aspects of flooding and in
particular flood impacts upon people as
receptors
(e.g. Bye and Horner, 1998; Mileti, 1999; Evans
et al. 2004; Pitt, 2008).
There is now growing concern regarding the
longer-term impacts of climate change, including
flooding, on human health and well-being (WHO
2002; IPCC 2007). Dramatic media images of
flood events from across the globe such as the
Asian tsunami (in 2004), Hurricane Katrina (in
2005), the summer floods in England and Wales
(in 2007) and exceptional flooding in Cumbria (in
2009) have helped to focus attention on the hu-
man aspects of natural hazards. Once floodwaters
have receded and the media coverage has ceased
there has often been a perception that the event is
over. However, for those affected by flooding in
their homes and businesses the majority of their
problems are just beginning, and people have to
cope with the significant aftermath of the flood,
Floodplains are among themost densely populated
areas in the world (Kron 2002). As the risks of
flooding increase through a changing climate and
often unpredictable weather patterns (IPCC 2007;
Evans et al. 2008), no protection works can guar-
antee future security. This recognition has re-
sulted in the recent shift in policy from flood
defence toflood riskmanagement (e.g.Defra2005).
Added to this is the increased risk from ground-
water flooding or intense pluvial flooding where
the capacity of drainage systems may be insuffi-
cient to deal with the volumes of water involved.
Environmental changes are also taking place
against a backdrop of wider societal change that
may alter the likelihood of human exposure
to hazards, as well as people's susceptibility to
their impacts (Few 2007). Continuing develop-
ment within floodplains, increasing population
densities and mobility, accumulation of house-
hold goods, and little awareness of flood risk are
all contributing factors to such exposure and
susceptibility.
Flood events, like other natural disasters, can
have varying and significant impacts upon those
who are exposed to them, as well as those who
have to respond to such events. In 2007 alone there
were 200 major floods worldwide, resulting in
more than 8000 deaths and affecting 180 million
