Sue M. Tapsell

Vulnerability to flooding: health and social dimensions

This paper presents research results on the impacts that floods can have on the people affected, thus complementing the existing data on the monetary losses liable to occur in flood events. Both datasets should be used when deciding on investment in flood defence measures. We report on research on the vulnerability of flood–affected communities to adverse health effects, and the development of an index of community vulnerability based on extensive focus–group research and secondary–source census data.

Assessing multifaceted vulnerability and resilience in order to design risk-mitigation strategies

Vulnerability studies have evolved significantly in recent decades. Although not overly theoretical compared with some other fields of science, some important conceptual progress has been made. At the practical level, vulnerability indicators have been used either at a generic level or for particular hazard contexts. However, these indicators are often predictably too narrow in their coverage of aspects of vulnerability. An important need remains to produce more conceptually informed vulnerability indicators or parameters and more satisfactory operational tools to assess weaknesses and resilience in coping with natural risks. In this paper, we present the methodology developed in the context of a recently concluded EU funded project, ENSURE (Enhancing resilience of communities and territories facing natural and na-tech hazards). The resulting vulnerability and resilience assessment framework tool adopts a systemic approach embedding and integrating as much as possible the multifaceted and articulated nature of concepts such as vulnerability and resilience. The tool guides evaluators towards a comprehensive and context-related understanding of strengths and fragilities of a given territory and community with respect to natural extremes. In this paper, both the framework tool and its application to Sondrio in Italy, which is exposed to flash floods, are presented and discussed. The merits and demerits of the new tool are discussed, and the results of the application to Sondrio indicate where data are currently missing, suggesting the kind of data, which will need to be gathered in future to achieve more complete assessments. The results also suggest vulnerability reduction policies and actions and further ways of revising the existing framework tool in the future.

Translating nature: river restoration as nature - culture

In this paper we examine the process of river restoration at the river Cole in southern England. We argue that analysing such environmental transformations as actor-network translations or ‘nature-cultures’ can provide an integrative perspective on the process of restoration and its intertwining of natural and human actors and help to avoid the traps of defining ‘nature’ and separating it from society; traps which open up before environmental philosophy when examining restoration. However, a translation perspective is less helpful in evaluating or prescribing restoration as environmental management.

How Stable are Public Responses to Changing Local Environments? A 'Before' and 'After' Case Study of River Restoration

This paper considers the stability of public responses to an urban river restoration scheme on the River Skerne, Darlington, UK, by comparing the results from surveys of local residents carried out before and after scheme implementation. This case study provides evidence of strong and generally consistent positive responses to the proposals and implemented scheme to return the straightened and channelized river to a more natural condition although support was more qualified after than before implementation. Although the scheme design and construction costs were high, nearly two-thirds regarded the scheme as value for money. Exploratory contingent valuation results on whether or not local residents were prepared to pay for the scheme were broadly stable over the two surveys.

Growing up with rivers? Rivers in London children’s worlds

This paper presents the results from exploratory research which set out to investigate London childrens perceptions and uses of river environments. Mainly qualitative, multi method research was carried out in four primary schools with children aged 9-1 1, focusing on two rivers near to the schools. Rivers were found to be marginal to the childrens everyday lives and outdoor play, being perceived as polluted, neglected, and initially dangerous places. However, when experienced on visits observed as part of the research, some of these perceptions changed and rivers were also found to afford many special activities and experiences for the children. The visits were generally seen to have a positive effect on the childrens perceptions of rivers, at least in the short term. This suggests that, if managed appropriately, rivers could be potentially rewarding play areas for children. Moreover, children could provide valuable input for river managers in suggesting ways of improving suitable local rivers for increased recreational uses.

Children's perceptions of river landscapes and play: what children's photographs reveal

The insights that childrens photography can provide into childrens perceptions of river landscapes and play opportunities are focused upon, based on an analysis of over 500 photographs and comments generated during visits to two London rivers by children aged nine to eleven from three nearby schools. In their photographs, the children recognized the aesthetic appeal of specific natural features of the river landscapes, particularly trees. Some also appreciated broader river landscape ‘views’. The rivers themselves were seen as littered and polluted. Dangers were identified, but these were not seen as unmanageable. The children recognized the special character of the rivers as play places affording varied, adventurous and manipulable play opportunities, but wanted cleaner, safer, more accessible and managed rivers. Some differences were found in the responses of boys and girls and in the childrens responses to the two rivers. The urban children taking part in the study showed little understanding of the functions that living and decaying riverside vegetation might have in river ecology, indicating a need for more environmental education.

It came up to here:learning from children's flood narratives

The growing body of literature that seeks to understand the social impacts of flooding has failed to recognise the value of childrens knowledge. Working with a group of flood-affected children in Hull using a storyboard methodology, this paper argues that the children have specific flood experiences that need to be understood in their own right. In this paper, we consider the ways in which the disruption caused by the flood revealed and produced new – and sometimes hidden – vulnerabilities and forms of resilience and we reflect on the ways in which paying attention to childrens perspectives enhances our understanding of resilience.

Modelling the potential damage-reducing benefits of flood warnings using European cases

Flood warning systems are now centre-stage in flood risk management strategies in Europe. This is due to advances in flood forecasting and the rapid communication of flood risk information, coupled with a growing understanding that communities need to find better ways of co-existing with rivers and the realization that structural flood defences are insufficient on their own to prevent flooding. However, not enough is known about the potential and actual benefits of flood warnings for avoiding property damages. This paper presents an extended approach to the estimation of potential flood damage reduction benefits of flood warnings for fluvial and tidal floods, drawing upon research completed for the European Commissions Floodsite project. Its aim is to demonstrate the potential economic benefits of coupling flood warnings to a combination of structural and non-structural flood risk management measures. Previous research in this area is critiqued, including that which suggests that flood warnings are futile, and the features, strengths and weaknesses of the extended approach are presented and discussed. Two case studies, a national-level (England and Wales) and a local-level (Grimma, southeastern Germany) assessment of flood damage-saving potential, are presented to illustrate the new approach. Although a number of data quality issues need addressing, the model outputs and estimations of potential damage savings may be used to make wise decisions about investment in flood warning systems, and to identify those areas, such as public flood risk awareness, that need attention to achieve the full scope of potential benefits in practice.

Rivers and river restoration: a child's‐eye view

Abstract Research suggest a high level of interest in the environment and in environmental action by children. Yet very little is known about how children perceive the natural environment. Despite the fact the children are one of the largest user groups of outdoor spaces, their views are rarely sought. The aim of this small qualitative study was to look at childrens perceptions of river corridor environments, and specifically to look at their views on restoring our rivers. The children demonstrated a strong concern for the natural environment and supported the idea of river restoration. Natural features of river corridor landscapes were valued, but the children also valued highly other non‐natural features which afford them opportunities for play and exploration. By talking to children, and also by analysing childrens drawings and writings about rivers, the study aimed to gain a broader understanding of how children perceive the river environment, and how they might participate more fully in its management.

Key Policy Implications of the Health Effects of Floods

Th e frequency and extent of fl ooding world-wide, and the accompanying losses and related human health impacts, are expected to increase over the next 50 to 100 years owing to the eff ects of global warming (IPCC 2001) and other factors (Evans et al. 2004). Th ere is cause for concern here, as the impacts of fl oods are serious and far-reaching. Th ese impacts include impacts on human health (Tapsell et al. 2002), as elaborated below. In turn these have implications for policies for fl ood defence, the environment and the provision of local services to assist people in dealing with fl ood emergencies and their aft ermath. Th is chapter outlines some of the research undertaken at Middlesex University Flood Hazard Research Centre on the health eff ects of fl oods in the UK, and describes how these eff ects might be mitigated by policies and strategies to identify those who might be worst aff ected, to warn people of the impacts that they might suff er, and to help them during and aft er fl ood emergencies. In addition we show that emergency planning across Europe has not taken on board the impacts that fl oods can have on health, and this is also cause for concern and needs attention.