Improving a resilience observatory with a post cyclonic event resilience assessment: Application to the 2010 OLI cyclone in three Pacific islands

Abstract

French Polynesia is a territory extremely vulnerable to climate change and associated risks. Among these risks, the cyclonic risk impacts regularly and durably the Polynesian territory. The concept of resilience is particularly relevant in a dynamic of adaptation of territories and populations facing the increase of risks and uncertainties. However, it is complex to operationalize and measure. The methodology presented in this article is part of a larger project to design a spatial decision support system, built in the form of a risk and resilience observatory. This observatory is built around several bricks, one of which is intended to acquire various forms of data, and the other to involve local actors in the adaptation of their territory to climate risks. This paper develops a methodology to assess the social, technical and urban resilience during and after Hurricane Oli. It was built around qualitative data, acquired through interviews and questionnaires with inhabitants and local actors of three islands: Tubuai, Rurutu, Bora-Bora. This approach allowed us to identify different levels of resilience over the long term and according to the actors involved in the experience of cyclone Oli. Finally, this approach allowed for the long-term involvement of stakeholders in the evaluation and implementation of more resilient risk management strategies, both at the individual and collective levels.