Managing Risk Mitigation in Urban Expansion Areas of Argentina’s Drylands: The Gap between Perception and Environmental Behaviour

Romina Sales and Alejandro J. Rescia ()
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Romina Sales: Regional Planning and Habitat Institute, National Research Council, National University of San Juan, San Juan J5400, Argentina
Alejandro J. Rescia: Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: Accessibility to rigorous scientific information to promote risk mitigation measures by citizens is crucial, especially in the context of climate change and extreme weather events. This study focuses on the perception of flood risk and the implementation of mitigation strategies by residents in drylands urban sprawl areas. Risk perception, defined as the subjective assessment of the likelihood and potential consequences of flooding, is a key element of mitigation. While many studies have explored the link between risk perception and behaviour, this research addresses gaps in understanding how public information affects these perceptions and actions. In areas of rapid urban expansion, where regulation often overlooks environmental features, the lack of adequate information poses significant barriers to effective risk mitigation. This research reveals that although residents claim to understand flooding, their descriptions often indicate a lack of understanding of the phenomenon. This ‘passive optimism’ could be mitigated by providing rigorous information and specific technical recommendations. This study highlights the disconnect between residents’ awareness of flood risks and the inadequacy of preventive measures, underlining the importance of targeted information and collaboration between the scientific community, government sectors, and local populations.

Keywords: passive optimistic attitude; environmental awareness; urban sprawl (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:8:p:1216-:d:1451043

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