Opportunities and challenges for transdisciplinary research in flood risk management: some critical reflections and lessons learnt for research on sustainability

Abstract

Mountain hazards such as floods, torrents or landslides pose a serious threat to human lives and repeatedly cause considerable damage in the Alpine region. Shrinking populations also provide a socio-political challenge for regional and local authorities. Within the ÖAW-ESS funded DemoHazAlps project, the aim is to develop a better understanding of demographic change as a key driver in transforming risk patterns. A transdisciplinary research strategy was chosen to address these challenges in the Gailtal, in the Austrian province of Carinthia. This paper describes the use of transdisciplinary research above all to integrate the knowledge of those who are affected by, and those who can affect the planning of, risk management. Transdisciplinary research has a high potential to contribute to overcoming conflicts in flood risk management triggered by, and linked to, demographic change. However, in practice there are many limitations and barriers to consider, such as the negative connotations of risk management or a pandemic. This paper provides some critical reflection on transdisciplinary research to address limitations and barriers; the lessons learnt could be applied in similar situations, for example within UNESCO biosphere reserves.