The barriers to resilient reinstatement of flood damaged homes

Abstract

The current debate about flood management in the UK involves the notion of making space for water, recognising the fact that it is impractical to defend large floodplains to a standard which excludes any possibility of flooding. Coupled with development controls to discourage new building in the floodplain is the desire to encourage
\ninhabitants of the floodplain to render themselves less vulnerable to flood damage by building resilience into their homes. Advice on resilience is available via flood forums and insurers but historically take up has been low. In a bid to increase the installation of individual flood
\nprotection measures there are nascent grant schemes underway or proposed in England and Wales. A review of the international literature relating to flood proofing of homes and the attitudes of floodplain residents reveals that there are many barriers to overcome in encouraging the installation of resilient measures. Financial concerns
\nare of course a primary factor, the presence of almost universal flood insurance cover for UK residents detracts from motivation to take individual responsibility. However it emerges from this review that other considerations should not be disregarded. Any proposed scheme must
\ncontend with the preference for community measures, informational barriers, emotional constraints, aesthetic considerations and timing issues. The provision of finance for resilient schemes could be more effective if incorporated within the reinstatement process in order to
\nminimise cost, distress and disruption to the home owner.