Document Detail


Coping strategies and risk manageability: using participatory geographical information systems to represent local knowledge.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21702892     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The accumulated knowledge and perceptions of communities 'at risk' are key elements in managing disaster risk at the local level. This paper demonstrates that local knowledge of flood hazards can be structured systematically into geographic information system (GIS) outputs. When combined with forecasting models and risk scenarios, they strengthen the legitimacy of local knowledge of at-risk populations. This is essential for effective disaster risk reduction practices by external actors, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and municipal authorities. The research focused on understanding coping strategies and 'manageability' of flood hazards as defined by communities. 'Manageability' is how people experience flooding in relation to their household capacity and the coping mechanisms available. The research in the Philippines highlights the significance of localised factors, including socioeconomic resources, livelihoods, seasonality and periodicity, for understanding manageability. The manageability concept improves practice at the municipal level by legitimising local coping strategies, providing better indicators, and developing understanding of flooding as a recurrent threat.
Authors:
Graciela Peters-Guarin; Michael K McCall; Cees van Westen
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-6-27
Journal Detail:
Title:  Disasters     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1467-7717     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-6-27     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7702072     Medline TA:  Disasters     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
© 2011 The Author(s). Disasters © Overseas Development Institute, 2011.
Affiliation:
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Anthropology, Vanderbilt University, United States Associate Professor, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, The Netherlands, and Senior Researcher, Centro de Investigaciones de Geografía Ambiental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico Associate Professor, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, The Netherlands.
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