More than a one-size-fits-all approach - Tailoring flood risk communication to plural residents' perspectives

Abstract

Many urban residences are insufficiently prepared for fluvial, pluvial or coastal floods, owing to a lack of accurate information on flood risk. This article analyzes how risk communication can improve disaster risk reduction by overcoming the expert–layperson gap. Building on interviews in three cities in the Netherlands, it applies Q methodology to identify four perspectives on flood risk communication. To promote greater private residential involvement in flood risk adaptation, communication should address all four rationalities.