The Strengthening of Social Capital in Flood Disaster Preparedness in Jebres District, Surakarta

Abstract

This study was aimed to identify social capital in communities living in flood-prone areas and analyze the role of local communities on flood disaster preparedness in Jebres District, Surakarta City. This study used a qualitative approach in which the research subjects were people living in flood-prone areas. Informants were selected purposively consisting of government officials, key figures, representatives of non-governmental organizations and community representatives. Data was taken through in-depth interviews with communities in 4 areas affected by floods every year in Jebres District, namely Jebres, Gandekan, Pucang Sawit and Sewu Subdistricts. The results of the study showed that there had been a strengthening of social capital in four research areas with different characteristics. Strengthening social capital helps in planning flood disaster preparedness actions by building relationships and networking that are based on beliefs and norms that live within the local community which can lead to action initiatives and are useful to reduce the impact of floods for the sake of survival.