What drives adaptation to flood risks? Findings from a household survey in Central Vietnam on behavioral factors and their drivers

Abstract

To strengthen communities’ resilience to flood risks, it is vital to understand households’ behavior, i.e. their risk perception as well as their perceived ability and responsibility to manage flood risks and adapt. A growing number of studies has identified behavioral factors, primarily values, beliefs, and norms, as key determinants for both, households’ motivation for flood protection, and contributing to their levels of risk. Yet despite significant progress in this field, many research gaps persist. Notable blind spots are the strong focus on risk appraisal/perception with lacking consideration of perceived responsibilities and abilities, as well as the lacking application of integrated behavioral models in flood resilience research that combine and link different theories and components, including contextual factors.

This presentation outlines findings from the analysis of household survey data collected in the city of Hue, Central Vietnam. Fueled by rapid urban, socio-economic, and climate change effects, the city is characterized by high flood risk, which culminated in severe adverse flood impacts in 2022 and most notably 2020, when several floods caused more than 300 fatalities in the region, damaged critical infrastructure, disrupted economic activities, and led to adverse cascading impacts on people, their wellbeing, and environment.

The survey is conducted from March to May 2023 and will cover approximately 600 households across different urban regions in Hue selected based on diverse urban structure types, prevailing flood risk levels, and implemented risk management and adaptation interventions. Comprising questions on current and future flood risk perception, past flood impact experiences, past and intended risk management and adaptation interventions, perceived adaptation ability and responsibility, and socio-economic characteristics, the survey aims at understanding flood risk adaptation motivation and its driving factors across different population groups and urban regions.

Based on quantitative analyses, including descriptive statistics and bi-variate regression analyses, and qualitative methods, including content analysis, this presentation highlights key differences in the level and attribution of flood risk and adaptation appraisal/perception across households. In addition, linkages between contextual factors, most notably past flood experiences and socio-economic characteristics, and behavioral factors (values, beliefs, norms) are outlined. Lastly, the presentation also links risk and adaptation appraisal to past and intended flood risk management and adaptation interventions at the household level.

These results can be used as an important entry points for interventions to support households in strengthening their social resilience.