Osiris – an example of citizen-oriented technology development in the area of dissemination of information on flood risk management

Abstract

In consequence of dramatic flood events in Europe at the end of last century, a request for more efficient information and communication systems and procedures at all stages of the flood risk management process was clearly identified. Current trends in the flood warning and forecasting system design are more concerned by the improvement of observation capacity and the efficiency of a forecast, less by the proper dissemination and reception of the information by the different stakeholders of an inundation crisis. Operational Solutions for the management of Inundation Risks in the Information Society (OSIRIS) is an example of a user demand-driven European RTD Project, which exploits concept of citizen-oriented technology development in a crucial area of flood risk management. This was also the raison d’être of the OSIRIS. The project aimed at satisfying the principle of the access to strategic environmental information by citizens. It allowed testing how implemented new technologies incite to proactive attitudes and behaviour in the terms of reduction of vulnerability and in the context of flood risk management.