Community and public participation - risk communication and improving decision making in flood and coastal defence

This project explored public attitudes to flood risk against the latest communications expertise and current practice to make recommendations for the future.

From:
Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
12 February 2021
Category:
Increasing resilience to flooding
Topics:
Behavioural change, Communicating risk, Community participation, Community response and resilience, Flood warning, Health, safety and wellbeing
Project status:
Completed
Project code:
FD2007
Date of completion:
30 April 2003

Documents

Community and public participation - risk communication and improving decision making in flood and coastal defence - final report (211KB) PDF

Community and public participation - risk communication and improving decision making in flood and coastal defence - summary (462KB) PDF

Community and public participation - risk communication and improving decision making in flood and coastal defence - technical report (433KB) PDF

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Details

This study reviewed whether the consultation and communications methods used to discuss flood and coastal defence in England and Wales are effective. It put forward recommendations for better ways of working with the public and stakeholder groups to increase awareness and understanding of flood and coastal defence activities and policies.

Approach

The research was split into two phases:

  • Phase 1 made recommendations on improving communications about risk
  • Phase 2 was designed to develop guidance on public participation and resolving conflicts when making decisions about flood and coastal defence - it was not commissioned as part of the joint Defra / Environment Agency programme

This report provides details of Phase 1 only.

This project examined public attitudes to flood and coastal defence, as well as researching current expertise about how to communicate risk effectively. It also explored how to increase people’s understanding of flood and coastal defence language and terms.

Outcome

The research investigated 12 case studies throughout England. Four of the case studies were examined in detail. This included interviews with officials and focus groups with members of the community. The remaining eight were carried out using a postal questionnaire survey only.

The project started in 2001 and was completed in 2003 at a cost of £115,585.

Published 12 February 2021
Contents