Citation

Fekete A, Aslam AB, de Brito MM, Dominguez I, Fernando N, Illing CJ, Kc AK, Mahdavian F, Norf C, Platt S, Santi PA, Tempels B. Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021; 57: e102157.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102157

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Participation is an often-demanded process in disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, it is often unclear who understands what under this term. International organizations such as the United Nations have promoted participation in their DRR strategies since the 1980s, but further research is needed on its opportunities and limitations. Here we highlight what is understood by participation according to different actors and various international contexts. This study was motivated by a workshop where flood-risk and resilience experts from 14 countries perceived the nature of participation and the lack of its implementation differently. To unravel the multitude of these perspectives, 27 expert interviews were conducted in seven countries: Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Peru between March and August 2020.

RESULTS show that constraints on the conduction of participation are not only related to the specific country context but differ even within countries. Limitations such as capacities and willingness to participate as well as the role and importance of participation are common issues across the investigated contexts and countries.

Language: en

Keywords

Community participation; Flood resilience; Flood risk management; Livelihood; Participatory appraisal; Participatory approach; Risk communication; Urban resilience