Comprendre les comportements face à un risque modéré d'inondation. Etude de cas dans le périurbain toulousain (Sud-Ouest de la France)

Abstract

Urbanized areas subjected to moderate risks to human lives from flooding are often underestimated in studies on hydrological vulnerability, despite the roles they play in terms of crisis management. How do riverine residents face flood risk and what do they consider "good reasons" to take action? Based on a socio-geographical analysis of two recent floods (in 2000 and 2003) near Toulouse (southwest France), we show that the characteristics of the hazard in the studied watersheds influence the hydrological risk perception and thereby people's motivation to take action. Confronted by a major risk, society's vulnerability is clearly increasing. In order to improve the resilience of the population, we show that it is necessary to adapt the communication on risk: by personalizing information, improving the hydrological explanation of the flooding process, and initiating new forms of mediation between water management or administration and the riverine inhabitants. © 2013 Copyright 2013 IAHS Press.