In post-communist member states, the risk of flooding tends to be perceived only during extreme events

In a recent publication, Raška (2015) analysed 19 studies, published between 1990 and 2014, on flood risk perception and reduction conducted in the Central-Eastern European countries. The aim of this review paper was to examine the determinants of risk perception of floods and the role of individual and public involvement in the reduction of flood risk in countries which have the tradition of centralized governments. Raška (2015) found that risk perception of flooding in the post-communist member states of the European Union can be best described by a so-called 'thin' concept of flood risk reduction. Namely, people in these countries tend to perceive the risk of flooding only during extreme events and, similarly, consider risk reduction as something that is a temporary solution rather than a process, which is in contrast with the results of the studies conducted in other parts of Europe (Raška, 2015).

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Cultural Factors: Worldviews, Power relations, Local knowledge

Hazards: Natural hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: Government, Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective