Addressing social and institutional vulnerabilities in the context of flood risk mitigation

There are different perspectives of what constitutes disaster risk. Among the “hazards”-tradition research, more focus is given to modelling hazards, and less effort made understand vulnerabilities. Considering vulnerabilities as inherent characteristics place that create potential harm, this paper highlights importance understanding before defining actions for flood risk mitigation (FRM). In sense, a participatory approach, Project PLANEJEEE, was developed social institutional FRM in Campina Grande, Brazil. Data collected with collaboration 199 stakeholders through surveys, workshop groups. The results reflect analysis perception coping capacity communities at (n = 172), context involvement policymakers local specialists 27). Although confirm individuals faced severe cases previously, they still need resources increasing their own protection. Institutional shown contrast between challenges FRM. Findings show multiple contexts should be systematically addressed propose reduce vulnerability, increase resilience.