Building flood resilience

Abstract

Despite extensive research on flood governance, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these strategies specifically address socioeconomic vulnerability within urban neighbourhoods. This thesis, conducted at the Delft University of Technology, examines flood governance strategies in the socioeconomically vulnerable neighbourhoods of Krispijn and De Staart in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. It critically assesses the government-initiated flood resilience strategies, investigating both the institutional approach and the community perception, examining their effectiveness in preparing and empowering the vulnerable communities, their ability not only to mitigate the immediate effects of flooding, but also to address the underlying vulnerabilities that exacerbate the community's susceptibility to such disasters. The research uses a qualitative methodology, combining theoretical exploration with empirical investigation through a detailed case study approach. Data collection included reviews of secondary sources, policy documents, and primary data collected by semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with key stakeholders such as institutional actors and community members. Findings indicate that while Dordrecht's flood management strategies are developed, their inclusiveness and effectiveness varies significantly due to socioeconomic diversity and characteristics of the neighbourhoods. Although these strategies generally address immediate flood risks, they often overlook deeper socioeconomic vulnerabilities. In addition, this study highlights the critical need for increased community engagement and the inclusiveness of vulnerable groups’ needs into governance processes, which is essential for improving the resilience of flood management practices. Recommendations for refining flood governance emphasise the importance of involving stakeholders, such as citizens, in both planning and implementation, tailoring interventions to specific community needs, and strengthening the adaptive capacity of governance frameworks to effectively incorporate emerging risks and community feedback. This thesis concludes that for flood resilience strategies in Dordrecht to be truly effective, a deeper integration with the community-specific needs and vulnerabilities is imperative, underscoring the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to flood resilience.