Constructing risks - Internalisation of flood risks using the flood risk management planning process

Abstract

Due to climate change, the frequency of intense precipitation will continue to rise. The European Commission came with a Flood Directive aimed at managing the water in such a way that when a flood event occurs, the damage is kept to a minimum. In Germany they are implementing this Flood Directive. Managing the areas behind the dikes is new to local governments in Germany. These local governments are now developing the Flood Risk Management Plans for these rivers. During meetings is became apparent that not all local governments were eager to participate in the planning process. This research uses the case of two rivers in North Rhine-Westphalia, the river Lippe and Emscher, to understand the flood risk perceptions of local governments and the influence of the planning process on these risk perceptions. In order to be able to measure the risk perception of local governments, the System Theory (Luhmann, 1993) and the model of risk perception (Raaijmakers et al, 2008) are used as the main theoretical approach. Apparently, local governments, involved in the flood risk management planning process of the rivers Lippe and Emscher, are not worried about flood risks at all. However, they are aware of the risks, which is partially due to the planning process. The research showed that the combination of hazard maps and regional meetings is able to raise the awareness of flood risks of local governments. The maps visualises the risk, while the meetings make sure this information is transferred and understood. Eventually, this helps in getting all governmental institutions to participate in the planning process and develop measures to keep the damage to a minimum in the case of a flood event.