Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany

ABSTRACT Previous research has indicated the important role of social infrastructures during and after flood events. While struggling to uphold their caring responsibilities, they are also deemed relevant for coping and rebuilding after a disaster. We revisit this line of argument for the 2021 flood...

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Main Authors: Danny Otto, Zora Reckhaus, Christian Kuhlicke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Flood Risk Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.70007
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author Danny Otto
Zora Reckhaus
Christian Kuhlicke
author_facet Danny Otto
Zora Reckhaus
Christian Kuhlicke
author_sort Danny Otto
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Previous research has indicated the important role of social infrastructures during and after flood events. While struggling to uphold their caring responsibilities, they are also deemed relevant for coping and rebuilding after a disaster. We revisit this line of argument for the 2021 flood event in western Germany to deepen the understanding of the societal dimension of caring, coping and rebuilding (CCR) in and after flood events. Based on 21 semi‐structured interviews in three case study regions, we analyse how social infrastructures were affected during the flood, their contribution to resilience in the acute and rebuilding phases, and factors influencing their response to extreme events. Moving beyond the conventional focus on technical solutions for flood management, our study examines the significant societal aspects of responding to and recovering from flood events. Our research empirically underscores the critical role of social infrastructure during and after flood events. Recognising the assistance provided by these infrastructures, our findings offer a basis for policy recommendations. Ensuring sufficient financial and political support for social infrastructures is crucial, as is actively involving them in rebuilding initiatives. These measures are vital for facilitating the expansion of social infrastructure and enhancing its resilience potential during flood events.
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spelling doaj-art-8711451a4a6d4c01bb03fdc9bd06d7b62025-08-20T01:49:58ZengWileyJournal of Flood Risk Management1753-318X2025-03-01181n/an/a10.1111/jfr3.70007Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in GermanyDanny Otto0Zora Reckhaus1Christian Kuhlicke2Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig GermanyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig GermanyUniversity of Potsdam Potsdam GermanyABSTRACT Previous research has indicated the important role of social infrastructures during and after flood events. While struggling to uphold their caring responsibilities, they are also deemed relevant for coping and rebuilding after a disaster. We revisit this line of argument for the 2021 flood event in western Germany to deepen the understanding of the societal dimension of caring, coping and rebuilding (CCR) in and after flood events. Based on 21 semi‐structured interviews in three case study regions, we analyse how social infrastructures were affected during the flood, their contribution to resilience in the acute and rebuilding phases, and factors influencing their response to extreme events. Moving beyond the conventional focus on technical solutions for flood management, our study examines the significant societal aspects of responding to and recovering from flood events. Our research empirically underscores the critical role of social infrastructure during and after flood events. Recognising the assistance provided by these infrastructures, our findings offer a basis for policy recommendations. Ensuring sufficient financial and political support for social infrastructures is crucial, as is actively involving them in rebuilding initiatives. These measures are vital for facilitating the expansion of social infrastructure and enhancing its resilience potential during flood events.https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.70007extreme eventsflood in Germany 2021rebuildingreconstructionsocial infrastructures
spellingShingle Danny Otto
Zora Reckhaus
Christian Kuhlicke
Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany
Journal of Flood Risk Management
extreme events
flood in Germany 2021
rebuilding
reconstruction
social infrastructures
title Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany
title_full Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany
title_fullStr Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany
title_full_unstemmed Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany
title_short Caring, Coping and Rebuilding—The Role of Social Infrastructure During and After the 2021 Flood Event in Germany
title_sort caring coping and rebuilding the role of social infrastructure during and after the 2021 flood event in germany
topic extreme events
flood in Germany 2021
rebuilding
reconstruction
social infrastructures
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.70007
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AT zorareckhaus caringcopingandrebuildingtheroleofsocialinfrastructureduringandafterthe2021floodeventingermany
AT christiankuhlicke caringcopingandrebuildingtheroleofsocialinfrastructureduringandafterthe2021floodeventingermany