Interest of Social Representations Theory to grasp coastal vulnerability and to enhance coastal risk management (Interés de la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales para entender la vulnerabilidad costera y para mejorar la gestión de los riesgos costeros)

Abstract

This theoretical paper provides a new perspective on coastal vulnerability analysis by combining geography and psycho-social approaches. Most studies on perceptions of coastal risks report that people who are exposed have a low level of perceived vulnerability (they are not anxious), strong place attachment (they love their living place and want to live close to the sea) and are resistant to changes in adaptation strategies (they do not want to move away). For natural scientists and managers, these findings usually appear as paradoxes that enhance vulnerability and lead to these people being labelled 'irrational', 'in denial', 'uninformed' or 'uneducated'. Based on our long-term studies among coastal inhabitants in France, we believe that using Social Representations Theory (SRT) in this context enables us to go beyond these preconceived and individual-centred ideas towards a more contextualized view. This position extends theoretical risk/vulnerability research and is applicable to coastal risk management.

A comparative frame for a contextualised analysis of local natural risk management

“…For example, people who have lived their whole life in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône (PSLR) are able to describe exactly what the meteorological conditions should be for the Rhône river to attain its maximum level. Simultaneous high risk awareness and deep place attachment has been described as a paradox (Meur-Ferec & Guillou, 2020). Our comparative study between two communities with different coastal risk cultures (PSLR and Fréjus) found that PSLR inhabitants, who share a strong place attachment, also demonstrate a deep understanding of how their environment works and how dangerous it can be (Bertoldo et al, this issue).…”

Coastal inconsistencies: Living with and anticipating coastal flood risks in southern France

“…On the other hand, this content also shows a negative association between place attachment and risk perception when local risk knowledge contributes to reinforcing feelings of control and self-sufficiency -'here, we know'described as an attenuating factor for risk perception and preparedness (Luís et al, 2016). In the following section we will illustrate how discourse about local risks can help resolve the paradox between local place attachment and risk perception (Meur-Ferec & Guillou, 2020).…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that along the French Atlantic (Michel-Guillou, Lalanne, & Krien, 2015;Michel-Guillou & Meur-Ferec, 2017) and Mediterranean (Durand et al, 2018) coasts local inhabitants are aware of their exposure to coastal flooding yet unworried by the risk (Meur-Ferec & Guillou, 2020;Michel-Guillou et al, 2016;Michel-Guillou et al, 2015). This has been described, from a strictly informational perspective, as a "poor risk culture" (Durand et al, 2018. p. 10).…”

“…Considering therefore how the French society has responded to coastal risks in the past, studies suggest that "normalization" (Luís et al, 2016) or attenuating coping strategies (Meur-Ferec & Guillou, 2020; are common. It was also undeniable that the Xynthia storm played an important role in galvanising the public memory around an event that set a precedent for coastal risk management and preparedness (Chadenas et al, 2014).…”

“…Or is the hazard regarded as too small to warrant any type of risk preparedness? Previous studies have analysed these issues in the Atlantic coasta region profoundly marked by the Xynthia storm and a number of strong coastal storms subsequently (Meur-Ferec & Guillou, 2020;Michel-Guillou et al, 2016). We propose to analyse the discourse and logics around coastal floods around the Mediterranean coast, which has not yet experienced directly comparable storm damages but would nonetheless be greatly affected by climate change consequences (Cramer et al, 2018).…”