Integration of technical and non-technical approaches for flood identification

International audienceCommunity vulnerability to flood risks can be considered as a function of exposure to floods (linked to both climatic and anthropogenic factors), as well as adaptive capacity to respond to the prevention and restoration of flood events. Major challenges for flood identification and alleviation therefore occur in regions where determining the "function of exposure" is difficult, and/or where communities lack "adaptive capacity" or the ability to cope with flood impacts. This paper uses one region experiencing both such challenges, the Elin Pelin Municipality of Bulgaria, as a case study to test the application of an integrated (technical/non-technical) programme for flood identification. The programme involved the construction of a HSPF model for quantitative flood identification and a participatory cognitive mapping approach for qualitative flood identification. The integration of these approaches resulted in the creation of useful information for future flood management in a region where very little information or expertise was previously available. In its current form, the HSPF model performs satisfactorily, but is prone to under-estimations, based on the official measured flow values, the accuracy of which appears to be disputed. The cognitive mapping exercise carried out with a variety of stakeholders demonstrated that, as well as the known natural or technical drivers of floods such as climate and hydro-technical infrastructure management, there are many other important socio-economic factors, such as public awareness and the clarity of roles and responsibilities, that could reduce community vulnerability to floods. A reduction in well-being was also found as the most commonly cited impact of floods, highlighting the importance of considering human needs when carrying out flood risk studies. It is hoped that the practical Bulgarian projects outlined in this paper can provide positive examples of integrated approaches to flood mitigation that could be easily adapted to other regions with similar challenges