Flood risk perception and disaster preparedness in marginalised flood-prone communities: evidence from Saadi neighbourhood, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT Poor and marginalised communities worldwide bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts caused by flash floods, resulting in significant socioeconomic and financial damages. To enhance community resilience to floods, it is crucial to comprehend flood risk perception (FRP) and preparedness levels for future disasters. This study aims to investigate these two essential factors in the Saadi community, which is one of the most flood-prone and marginalised communities in Shiraz, Iran. A field survey was conducted using a questionnaire (n = 400), supplemented by in-depth interviews with six informants and observational methods, to gain a comprehensive understanding of FRP among residents of the Saadi neighbourhood and assess their preparedness for future flooding events. The survey questionnaire consisted of three main domains: FRP and climate change perception, infrastructural capacity building in post-flood scenarios, and the extent of disaster preparedness. These questions were derived from a review of relevant literature and tailored to the unique conditions of the area, resulting in 18 variables. The results indicate that a high level of FRP (87.5%) was reported among affected residents who experienced previous floods and suffered consequences. Moreover, survey participants believed that more than three-fifths of the infrastructure remained unchanged. This study underscores the presence of high levels of FRP and medium-to-low levels of preparedness for flash floods in one of the most vulnerable communities in Shiraz city. The research findings can provide valuable insights for urban planners, city officials, and policymakers in developing more effective and realistic community resilience plans for communities prone to flash flooding.