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Coping strategies and risk manageability: using participatory geographical information systems to represent local knowledge
Author(s) -
PetersGuarin Graciela,
McCall Michael K.,
van Westen Cees
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7717.2011.01247.x
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , information system , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , occupational safety and health , knowledge management , citizen journalism , engineering , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , medical emergency , computer security , medicine , business , world wide web , clinical psychology , electrical engineering , pathology
The accumulated knowledge and perceptions of communities ‘at risk’ are key elements in managing disaster risk at the local level. This paper demonstrates that local knowledge of flood hazards can be structured systematically into geographic information system (GIS) outputs. When combined with forecasting models and risk scenarios, they strengthen the legitimacy of local knowledge of at‐risk populations. This is essential for effective disaster risk reduction practices by external actors, local non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) and municipal authorities. The research focused on understanding coping strategies and ‘manageability’ of flood hazards as defined by communities. ‘Manageability’ is how people experience flooding in relation to their household capacity and the coping mechanisms available. The research in the Philippines highlights the significance of localised factors, including socioeconomic resources, livelihoods, seasonality and periodicity, for understanding manageability. The manageability concept improves practice at the municipal level by legitimising local coping strategies, providing better indicators, and developing understanding of flooding as a recurrent threat.