Dings, Kees (2021) Flood preparedness and community resilience in Southern Limburg. Bachelor thesis.
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Bachelor Thesis Kees Dings-Final Version.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Local communities surrounding the Maas in South-Limburg have dealt with flood risks for generations. In 1993 and 1995 the Maas reached critical high water levels, which caused large-scale flood disasters. As a response, powerful flood defenses were installed under the ‘grensmaas’ plan. However, climate change developments in the past decades, resulting in more frequent and intensive rainfall patterns, have ensured that not all flood risks are taken away, despite the presence of these engineered defense systems. With regard to the possibility of future floods, this research aims to assess social impacts of past flood events, and flood preparedness through examining the development of implemented preparedness measures in governance (social resilience), and community resilience building strategies over time to see what elements did – or did not – contribute to disaster risk reduction. The paper then investigates if, how and to what extent community resilience building strategies are incorporated and strengthened in these preparedness measures. A qualitative research approach was adopted in which both inhabitants and planners engaged in the implementation or creation process of preparedness measures were interviewed. Results were triangulated using document and media analysis. It was found that community resilience is decreasing, as local communities underestimate the risks due to increased sense of safety the flood defense systems and thoroughly adapted preparedness measures have brought along. A sense of urgency to engage in flood preparedness or community resilience seems to be lacking among inhabitants, especially within newcomers. Community resilience building strategies are incorporated in the preparedness measures, but remain largely passive. Finally, this research proposes three policy recommendations for preparedness measures to actively enhance community resilience through promoting the sense of urgency within Maas communities
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Degree programme: | Human Geography and Planning |
| Supervisor: | Imperiale, A.J. |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jul 2022 12:04 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jul 2022 12:04 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3886 |
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