“Not enough”: A qualitative analysis of community perceptions of neighborhood government flood management plans using the case of Houston, Texas

Abstract

Disasters, including floods, have increased in intensity over recent decades due to climate change and urbanization. Some local governments have attempted to engage communities in resilience efforts, referred to as Community-Based Disaster Resilience Management (CBDRM). However, it is unclear to what extent governments can effectively involve local communities in flood management plans, and how much flood management is perceived to be a “shared responsibility,” especially in low-income and minority areas. One city attempting to engage low-income and minority communities is Houston, Texas, which provides an opportunity to study how these efforts play out in the community in real time. Specifically, in this study, we examine Kashmere Gardens, a target neighborhood of the Houston initiative. We used a purposive and snowball sampling method and a grounded theory methodological approach to conduct qualitative in-depth interviews with 22 Kashmere Gardens residents. From this process, we found several themes, including affordability and convenience, neglect and distrust toward government, a lack of awareness concerning government flood management plans, and a sense of personal efficacy in the face of feelings of government neglect. The results of this study suggest that clearer communication from the city and more direct engagement with the community through on the ground programming may be necessary to develop better community trust and partnership in high flood risk areas. In terms of policy, utilizing funds to organize transportation or place meetings physically in the neighborhood, and employing more community organizers from within the community who have local knowledge, may foster better engagement to develop trust.