Community awareness of climate change and urban flood risk: the case of the Simeto River Basin

Increased urbanization is causing evident negative consequences on the hydrological cycle. In particular, the increase of impervious surfaces is having a strong impact on the water cycle, amplifying the risk of urban floods. These impacts can get even worse for potential climate change impacts. The urban areas of the Simeto Valley, the largest river valley in Sicily (Italy), has been repeatedly hit by heavy rains in the last decades that caused urban flooding causing several problems and, in some instances, threats to population. The threats seem to derive also from a low awareness of the population on the correct behavior to have in potentially dangerous situations. Hence, it seems of key importance that residents develop and internalize a “culture of risk awareness”. The Life SimetoRES Project represents an opportunity to stimulate the development of a responsible and resilient community and at the implementation of best practices for storm water management. In the Simeto River Valley community has started in the recent decades to formally have an identity (for instance, by signing a River Agreement) and has already supported initiatives in the responsible and participatory co-management of the territory. Thus, this Valley represents an excellent context to investigate this problem and to understand the involvement of the citizens in solving climate change and urban floods. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the communication campaigns and the actions to safeguard the community, a study through a survey on the climate change and risk perception in 11 municipalities has been carried out, collecting 1143 answers. Starting from the current hydrogeological risk, quantified by the Flood Risk Management Plan, the goal was to identify the perception and the awareness of the citizens. A section of the questionnaire involved the direct experience of the residents during rain events, their relationship with the alert system and their knowledge of the correct behavior in case of flood. Finally, the survey investigated the willingness of citizens to implement adaptation actions in their own municipality and in their homes. The results show that over 52% of citizens is not aware of the real use of the infrastructures devised for urban drainage and only the 30% feels responsible about mitigation of flooding risk. Inaccurate weather warnings can endanger more inhabitants who don't trust the alert system. The results show that it is necessary to make incisive actions to educate people, especially in school age, on the correct behavior to take in case of urban flooding, and encourage citizens to acknowledge themselves as an active part of the mechanism of their own and community safety.