Strategic level: a simple communication and strategic decision support tool for natural hazard management (CDT)

2013

S. 40-48

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

200180093

Since the start of the public debate concerning climate change and its assumed effects, the interest of society in natural hazard management has increased. At the same time the demand for protection against these hazards, also in a changing climate, is evident. However, awareness and understanding of how to minimise risks resulting from natural hazards are increasingly lost with the urban life style (NBZ 2009, Moser 2004). Hence, the need of public support to detect hazards and to make existing knowledge available to decision ]makers, as well as to the public, is high. Besides the legally authorised planners and natural hazard managers, people who are living, working or are performing recreational activities in areas affected by natural hazards, as well as those who represent the interests of affected institutions, nowadays ask to be involved in the hazard management process (e.g. compiling or adapting hazard maps). This may range from being informed to being actively involved in the decision processes. Usually not all groups involved in the decision process are familiar with natural hazard assessment or the assessment methods may be different across user groups. Hence, new and enhanced methods to etranslate f and harmonise the knowledge of experts is required to support the decision ]making within the context of natural hazard management to improve the understanding and the acceptance of sometimes necessary but unpopular measures like restricted land use as indicated in hazard maps or required in ]depth investigations, which may cause higher costs and delays.