Local perception of floods in the <scp>C</scp>zech <scp>R</scp>epublic and recent changes in state flood management strategies

Abstract

Abstract A shift from flood protection to flood risk management is occurring in many W estern countries, but less is known about the social perception of floods and flood management changes in C entral and E astern E urope. The objective of this paper is to study the social perception of selected water‐related issues and to find possible compatibilities with existing flood management. A sociological survey was conducted within a local population living in flood plains in S outh B ohemia ( N = 89). The results are discussed in relation to changes in C zech flood management governmental policies over the last 15 years. We conclude that the local population accepts floods as regular events, expects their increased frequency and prefers natural measures of flood mitigation. C zech flood management governmental policies are moving from flood defence and hard structural measures (e.g. dams) to flood risk management and more natural solutions (polders, free spill, etc.). However, there is still a strong legacy of a top‐down approach in governmental policies that hinders full incorporation of local perceptions into flood management.