The influence of tailored risk communication on individual adaptive behaviour

The aim of this paper is to analyse existing risk communication systems available in different countries and thereby gain an understanding of the state-of-the-art. Especially systems which have the goal to communicate tailored information on flood hazards are looked into in further detail. An example of a two-way communication pathway within a German communication system called Hochwasserpass is discussed.

This paper clearly demonstrates that trust in the information source is a vital building block for successful risk communication methods. The expert as an information source should not only be a flood hazard expert, but also a community member which is known to the people. Consequently, flood risk communication systems can motivate adaptive behaviour under certain conditions. There needs to be a personal connection to the sender (the expert or authority that advises) and a two-way communication pathway which includes a mutual knowledge transfer from and to sender and receiver.