The FLOODLABEL as a social innovation in flood risk management to increase homeowners' resilience
This study employs the analytical framework of social innovation as the FLOOD-LABEL has some characteristics of social innovation. The FLOOD-LABEL in Germany informs and prompts homeowners to take precautionary measures. Flood risk management awareness has been growing that the responsibility for coping with a flood cannot be assumed by the government alone. Homeowners need to be actively involved in flood risk management by taking responsibility; for this, they need empowerment and support to take adequate precautions.
The publication finds the FLOODLABEL has sufficient characteristics of asocial innovation. However, the development and current status of the tool show that it needs to be integrated into flood risk management to raise awareness among homeowners and to empower and support them to take pre-cautionary measures. This can reduce flood damage and improve homeowners' resilience. This research shows that providing an instrument alone is not enough to prompt more people to take self-protection measures. It further demonstrates that social innovation can provide a solution to asocial problem.