Enabling safer human mobility during urban floods

Abstract

Climate Change recognized globally as one of the greatest challenges facing society has had and will have various detrimental impacts on both natural as well as man-made systems. One of its significant outcomes is the occurrence of extreme weather events leading to environmental hazards, which though shortterm events, are increasing in frequency and intensity. Cities in developing countries are increasingly facing such hazards, leading to deaths, asset destruction, and uncertainty of urban life. Understanding the link between society and these hazards requires studying how individuals respond to environmental risks. Flooding is a prevalent natural disaster globally and is a frequent event in numerous cities in India and understanding people's behaviour around floods is crucial for developing risk mitigation strategies. Studies have shown that during flood disasters, individuals are less likely to travel in the same way they do during normal times. Mobility is an essential part of human life and is shaped by multiple elements like social characteristics, demographics, and personal perspectives. It is vital to comprehend human mobility patterns in both regular and unusual circumstances to facilitate disaster readiness and management and minimize fatalities and financial losses. Human behaviour in and around floodwater is complex and influenced by a range of factors, including social norms, personal experience, and the perception of risk. Hence, for effective disaster risk reduction initiatives, a better knowledge of human behaviour, particularly linked to mobility in and around floodwater, is crucial. A framework called Mobility as a Response (MaaR) considers factors like risk perception and averting actions. Risk-taking behaviour and evacuation behaviour play significant roles and may differ by gender and age, income and so on. However, in majority of existing studies as well as disaster management plans the decision-making process and coping behaviour are not fully explored and they lack to address risk mitigation from a perspective that a smarter resilience response requires a better understanding of human behaviour, activity patterns, needs, and reactions to disasters and to intervene accordingly. iii iv This study, therefore, aims to recommend strategies to enable safer human mobility during urban flooding events through a study of individual travel behaviour. It aims to accomplish the following objectives: examining the travel patterns and behaviours of individuals when faced with urban flooding, understanding how individuals perceive and respond to risks during such events, and proposing interventions that effectively reduce disaster risks and facilitate safer human mobility during urban floods. The research has been carried out as a quantitative study, wherein 101 individuals have been surveyed from the selected study area, which is one of the worst floods affected areas in Guwahati city, to analyse changes in their travel behaviour under flooded conditions as well as their willingness to take risks or avert them during floods. A focus has been put on gathering and analysing the perceptions of the individuals on different aspects classified under the categories of: BuiltEnvironment and Transport Related Perceptions, Perceived Behavioural Control, Information-seeking and social norm, Information-seeking and social norm and Risk taking behaviour during floods. Conclusively, this research focuses on understanding the dynamics of human mobility during urban flooding events. The factors influencing individual decisionmaking processes, the effectiveness of evacuation strategies, and the development of resilient transportation systems to ensure safe and efficient movement during flooding events have been investigated. By employing statistical data analysis, and incorporating socio-economic aspects, evidence-based strategies and policies that enhance human mobility and reduce vulnerability in urban areas prone to flooding have further been developed as an outcome of the study.