PILOT STUDY PROJECT Plan
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Transcript of PILOT STUDY PROJECT Plan
In collaboration with BPEC and B&H Council ‘’Flood risk management and the public engagement process in Sussex as a local case study’’ Flooding is becoming a more serious environmental, economical and social issue in many countries and in particular in the South-‐east of England. This project has the final scope to increase local knowledge, create awareness and discussion on a Workshop basis, experiment alternative engagement tools. Landowners and communities must be empowered, as by working with the local Authorities and professionals could provide an important support on flood risk management. This pilot study aims to define a practical benefit for all.
The idea of this pilot study project has been inspired by the research project I have been conducted last summer for my Master degree in Environmental and assessment Management course in Brighton University. The proposal of this pilot study was also supported after a consultation meeting in Utrecht University earlier in January 2016 with Dr. Dries Hegger, who is currently involved in a EU project called FP7 STAR-‐FLOOD; a key research question that came up from the discussion with Dr Hegger was the following: what is the lack in practice and in scientific knowledge in the context of flood risk management.
Therefore, there is gap between (normative) statement of official papers, legal requirements and the reality in practice’ according to Evers (2016). According to the same author (Evers, 2009) socio-‐technical approaches could help to promote a ‘ better understanding and handling of such complex system as flood risk management in a coherent and transparent management process with mutual learning’.
From the outcomes of my Dissertation project, the discussion with the farmer outlined few priorities for local authorities to be taken into account:
a. Need for prevention with local meeting or focus groups; b. Improvement of maintenance of land; c. Engagement of landowners forlocal ecological knowledge.
Therefore, once the community is empowered key issues and strategic measures can define more effective and long term strategic plans (Nanci, 2015). As also explained by Fisher (2000), ‘professional and ordinary knowledge should be integrated together, as farmers can provide technical skills, but also identify ideas, perceptions and innovative prospective on ecological, biological and geographical phenomena.’
In spite of this recent research, other projects have been already conducted on this topic. 1. Coastal Community 2150 (CC2150, 2011-‐2014) was an international project
plan, as part of PRiME-‐C platform, that was experimented between 2008 and 2013 in UK, France, Belgium and Netherlands, in order to improve the public participation and awareness methodologies for adapting to climate change and identify where gaps and limitations need to be solved (Nanci, 2015); the Atelier Workshop was an interesting platform of discussion between groups and stakeholders on adapting to climate change issues.
2. FLOODsite (2002-‐2006) was an ‘’integrated Project’’ in the Global Change and Ecosystems priority of the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission; as an active educational project it aimed to investigate the role of the public and improve flood risk awareness and perception.
The following Fig,1 shows the key methodologies used for delivering FLOODsite project. Figure 1. Methodological approach of task 11 (elmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, 2009)
However, for all these reasons this pilot project aims to increase knowledge, awareness and discussion on the topic, by producing, on one side, an online blog and, on the other side, a series of focus group/consultation meetings. The final outcomes of this study could be the improvement of strategic collaborations on flood risk management and the creation of a practical common agenda for stakeholders and the community in flood risk prevention. The objectives that can deliver this aim could be listed below:
I. IDENTIFY issues and evidences on the need to improve flood risk
management and public engagement through blogs, academic research and internet (step1)
II. SELECT a series of group representatives among EA, Trusts, local community, businesses or landowners, Council for creating a focus group/consultation meeting trial (step 2)
III. EXPERIMENT and DISCUSS alternative engagement tools through blog discussion and focus groups (step 3)
IV. CONDUCT a literature review research on the following topics: collaborative modelling, participatory governance, socio/technical tools, sustainable flood risk management, social learning (to support a potential PHD proposal or a publication report)
I believe that two levels of outcome could be identified at this stage: A. Review PUBLIC engagement tools and identify new alternatives methodologies; B. Discuss strategies on flood risk management between stakeholders and the
community. In fact, alternatives methods of public engagement could be experimented, in collaboration with BPEC, such as Theatre or Festival Events. In accordance to Nisker (2006) theatre could be an innovative tool for public engagement in health-‐policy development. As stated by the same author, ‘theatre can engage large numbers of citizens of diverse perspectives, emotionally and cognitively, in a fair manner that promotes their informed opinions on the policy issue under consideration’.
A general idea of the project timeline is presented in Table 1 and 2 below.
February March April May
Every participant
Proposal Plan, Consultation and first
Start of the project: Mailing list or participant confirmed Plan the blog structure
Reading and upload docs Research case studies, update blog
Workshop with community Update blog …
Myself Feedback, research for grant or fund
Monthly meeting/ update
Report 1 (on the blog)
Monthly meeting/update Training for Facilitator (The SureFoot Effect) Plan final report
June July August
Consultation 1 (*) Trial Update blog
Consultation 2
Consultation 3 (if necessary) OPEN DAY in public space, workshop,
Report 2 (on Consultation) Read/ Write 1 final report
Facilitator with BPEC Write 2/revise final report
FINAL REPORT with other docs included
Table 1.2. Timeline proposal for the project pilot study and key steps
In conclusion I also believe that the outcomes of this project could suggest benefits for both the communities along river Ouse (e.i. Lewes, NewHaven, Seaford) and Brighton &Hove, as listed below.
Improve public awareness and increase local knowledge on flood risk management and prevention
Create local networking between community and key stakeholders, Support long term action plan on flood risk management for South East of
England
Experiment a pilot project for the benefit of the community