Dam and Levee Safety and Community Resilience A Vision for Future Practice (2012) / Chapter Skim
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2 Community Characteristics and Improving Community Resilience
2 Community Characteristics and Improving Community Resilience
Pages 35-48
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From page 35... ...
-- in this case, the continued safe functioning of dam and levee infrastructure. They may also share broad development goals and their social behavior and relationships governed by common specific social norms (Agrawal and Gibson, 1999)
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From page 36... ...
Capacity to Assess and Minimize Potential Threats A resilient community has the capacity to understand the benefits of dam and levee infrastructure and the ability to assess, anticipate, and minimize potential threats over the short and long terms while retaining its basic structures and functions. Resilient communities are able to assess and manage risks, are generally well informed of threats, are clear about the roles and responsibilities of individuals and organizations in the community with respect to risk, and maintain safety programs and -- in this case -- water management programs in ways that strengthen the community's ability to mitigate potential infrastructure failures.
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From page 37... ...
It is important that decision makers understand and appreciate the nature of potential flood hazards and the range of potential outcomes so that they can assess the effects on livelihood and the options available to reduce risk through avoidance, mitigation, or risk transfer (such as through insurance)
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Deciding whom to engage requires careful examination of community elements. A community, as broadly defined in this report, can be divided into four major elements: • Dam and levee professionals • Persons and property owners at direct risk • Members of the wider economy • Social–ecological systems Those elements, the communication links among them, and their roles in enhancing community resilience are described in the next sections and in Table 2.1.
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From page 39... ...
The effects are on them or their real or personal property. Potential damages derived from the inundation itself and associated water quality issues exist whether or not people participate in the regional economy or any social–ecological networks.
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. Members of the Individuals and organizations at risk for economic consequences directly or wider economy indirectly related to flooding or water quality issues, including • Private-sector manufacturing, warehousing, and retailing firms • Large and small locally significant businesses • Real estate developers • Utility companies • Shareholders • Banks and other mortgage holders • Insurance companies • ublic and private agencies providing services, such as health care, P education, personal services, and recreational services • Floodplain management organizations • Land-use planning and zoning agencies • overnment officials engaged in economic development and related subjects G • overnment and private individuals involved in dam and levee G infrastructure development and operation funding decisions continued 40
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From page 41... ...
Similarly those with decision-making power related to the funding of dam and levee infrastructure itself may not be fully informed of risks and what is necessary to make such infrastructure "safe." Long-term funding, whether by executive budget management agencies or independent entities, may not be part of dam or levee safety decision processes.
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From page 42... ...
Of concern in current analysis and management is the ability of the social–ecological system to adapt to novel or emerging challenges without compromising sustainability. IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCING RESILIENCE Resilient communities are ones that develop long-term strategies with an "all-hazards approach" to disaster management -- consideration of all manner of threats to the health, economy, and proper functioning of the community -- rather than strategies focused on a single emergency action plan.2 Building and maintaining infrastructure critical for the long An all-hazards approach has long been encouraged for disaster preparation nationwide as reflected and reinforced 2 in such recent documents as the Stafford Act (see www.fema.gov/about/stafact.shtm, accessed December 20, 2011)
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From page 43... ...
The community, including dam and levee owners, can collectively identify dam and levee infrastructure and associated flood risks. They can then identify other community risks and resources, and enhance preparedness by collectively prioritizing preparedness goals and choos ing appropriate mitigation and preparedness activities.
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Strategies to strengthen community resilience include building and maintaining such relationships with interested parties in and outside the immediate community; all involved need to 44
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. 3 The private insurance market that provides property insurance to those seeking additional coverage beyond that pro 4 vided by the National Flood Insurance Program relies on FEMA flood maps to identify flood hazard domains.
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An investigation of the 2007 floods in the United Kingdom resulted in the Pitt Review (DEFRA, 2008) and included 92 recommendations for building community resilience to flood hazards.
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explain the dilemmas of collective action and how they can be overcome by a stock of social capital, by the existence of networks of civil engagement, and through norms of reciprocity -- the expectation that people will treat or serve others as they themselves have been treated or served. He attributes the emergence of democratic institutions, behavior, and social trust to the growth of participation in voluntary organizations in which people acquire skills and develop expectations with respect to social behaviors.
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From page 48... ...
. Social capital and therefore community resilience could be enhanced via • dense community social networks that build communication and social interactions in a community or among people and organizations that have a common interest; • widespread voluntary organizations that afford community members opportunities for participation and collaboration; • development of community members' skills in negotiation, compromise, and leader ship as a result of participation in voluntary organizations and social networks; • widespread access to and use of social media; • development of a network of private and public partnerships in the community.
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