Assessment of flood risk perceptions and adaptation capacity: a comparative study between rural and peri-urban areas in Greece

Abstract

Abstract. Focusing on flood risk and the information associated with it, developing risk management plans is often overlooking public perception of the threat. The perception of risk varies in many different ways, especially between the authorities and the affected public. It is because of this disconnection that many risk management plans concerning floods have failed in the past. This paper examines the private adaptation capacity and willingness with respect to flooding in two different catchments in Greece. The catchments of Evros and East Attica show recent flood events in the past 20 years. Two case studies were undertaken, comprised of a survey questionnaire focusing on 155 and 157 individuals, from a rural (Evros) and a peri-urban (East Attica) area, respectively, and they focused on those vulnerable to periodical (rural area) and flash floods (peri-urban area). Based on the comparisons drawn from these responses, and identifying key issues to be addressed when flood risk management plans are implemented, improvements are being recommended for the social dimension surrounding such implementation.