Who benefits from flood management policies?

A methodology for measuring the social, economic and environmental benefits and losses from flood management policies.

Documents

Who benefits from flood management policies - final report (244 KB) PDF

Who benefits from flood management policies - technical report (2 MB) PDF

Who benefits from flood management policies - technical summary (51 KB) PDF

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Details

Background

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) provides a complex mix of public and private benefits to, and burdens on, society over long time periods. However, there’s currently only limited understanding and evidence about how different interest groups and sectors benefit from public investments (or decisions not to invest) in reducing flood and coastal erosion risks.

Objectives

This project aims to improve understanding of how different interest groups and sectors gain or lose from existing FCERM policies. It presents a methodology for measuring the social, economic and environmental benefits and losses to the various groups and sectors.

This methodology has been developed to provide a systematic way of considering a wide range of groups that may benefit. It provides a consistent structure for an analysis of the size and scale of the benefits they receive.

Outcome

This methodology has shown promise as an analysis tool. Further research could develop the approach to provide a more formalised procedural tool supported by appropriate guidance and support in its application and use.

The research was based on three case study locations:

  • Carlisle (Cumbria)
  • West Bay (Dorset)
  • Lyth Valley (Cumbria)

These aimed to be representative of a broad range of FCERM activities and the benefits they bring to different interest groups and sectors.

This project ran from 2007 to 2008 at a cost of £93,990.

Published 18 February 2021