Flood Risk Perception and Communication within Risk Management in Different Cultural Contexts

Abstract

Preparedness, early warning and emergency management all contribute to flood risk mitigation and are closely linked to risk perception. Risk perception of decision-makers considerably influences their approach to risk mitigation strategies and therefore has a great impact on institutional coping capacity/vulnerability. <br /> This PhD thesis investigates flood risk perception and communication amongst key institutional stakeholders involved in flood risk management in different cultural settings of China and Germany. Using qualitative social research methods, this study aims at: firstly, understanding the discrepancies of risk perceptions between different actors; secondly, identifying flood risk communication features among flood risk management organizational units and between risk management and the general public; thirdly, comparing the perception and communication characteristics in different cultural contexts; and finally, analyzing the potential of cross cultural transferability of good practices and its implementation with consideration of cultural diversity.<br /> The research results have shown significant differences between the flood risk management strategies as well as risk perceptions and communication patterns. According to Chinese flood risk management, technical flood protection shall, can and has to serve as the main flood risk management measure to ensure the economic development in flood plains due to population pressure. German risk management, on the other hand, combines other management instruments such as spatial planning in addition to engineered flood protection. <br /> In China different actors show great confidence in existing flood protection measures and risk management organizational features. This is also communicated within risk management authorities as well as the general public, whereas in Germany, the importance of risk awareness raising activities is strongly advocated. Flood risk is perceived to be controllable and predictable with “scientific methods” in China, which displays a strong belief in a technical approach. In Germany, on the contrary, uncertainty in flood risk management has penetrated into the authorities’ mental maps despite the engineered protection measures. <br /> Risk communication takes place in a top-down structure in China and is more intensive during flood events. In Germany risk communication is horizontal and occurs in a participatory manner also during “flood free” periods. However, the consensus finding process seems to cause tensions among different German stakeholders and therefore sometimes impairs the efficiency of flood risk management. The flood risk strategies both in China and Germany showed strength, but also revealed some difficulties. A cultural analysis illustrates the advantage each society has and the challenges faced.