Exploring resilience: Experiences, preparedness and vulnerability to flooding in Hull

Dr Sam Ramsden, Energy & Environment Institute, University of Hull, Energy & Environment Institute       

In this talk, Sam will present the results of a household survey on flooding in three areas of Hull conducted in Autumn 2018 in collaboration with Living with Water. Over 450 households were reached, many of whom were flooded and who wanted to share their experiences for the first time. The results give a detailed picture of what people have done to prepare themselves against flooding and how resilient people feel.

For some respondents, previous experience of flooding including: blaming the failure of agencies to prevent flooding, the damage caused, the lack of help with recovery, and the health and wellbeing impacts, has long-term consequences and created a gap between people and agencies. This gap has been exacerbated by lack of participation in decision making, lack of support and information, and by socio-economic disadvantage, meaning that some residents have not done as much to protect themselves against future flooding as agencies expect.

However, the survey findings are feeding into a new programme of work by Living with Water which is working to listen to residents and take appropriate action.

 

Biography

Dr Sam Ramsden is currently researching flood resilience in Hull & the East Riding, working with the Energy and Environment Institute and collaborating with Living with Water. Throughout his career he has focused on supporting sustainable and resilient communities in the UK and overseas. Sam completed his PhD in Hull with the Department of Geography, and also lived and worked in Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and Vanuatu in a previous life!