Search
Close this search box.
Collaborative Research project

Understanding How Risk Perception Affects Nature-based Solutions

Project Information

Natural infrastructure represents an important alternative to traditional forms of infrastructure such as sea walls and levees. However, infrastructure managers are often influenced by perceived risks, including societal expectations and legal exposure, when considering nature-based solutions. Increasing the acceptance of nature-based solutions requires a better understanding of how risk perception factors into infrastructure decision making.

Objective

We aim to identify opportunities to increase adoption of natural infrastructures by understanding how risk perception factors into larger concepts of public infrastructure, risk management, infrastructure design, and governance.

Approach

We plan to carry out three studies. The first will examine how social contracts between governments and citizens relating to environmental risks and benefits have evolved over time and will continue to evolve with a changing climate. This study will also examine how social contracts may change when nature-based solutions are implemented. The second study will analyze how the risk perceptions of designers and managers influence their understanding and acceptance of nature-based approaches. The final study will identify statutory and regulatory limitations related to legal risks for natural infrastructures and assess opportunities to overcome these barriers.

Deliverables

We will share our study findings with the broader community via white papers and journal articles.

Products

Collaborators

uga

Point of Contact

Research Civil Engineer, Environmental Laboratory, ERDC

Professor, Graduate Coordinator, University of Georgia

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

All Research

All Research Projects

EWN Research

Related To This Project

Play Video
The Network for Engineering With Nature® and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a National Nature-Based Solutions......
Play Video
The Network for Engineering With Nature® and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a National Nature-Based Solutions......
This project aims to harmonize water resources infrastructure, such as reservoirs and levees, with agricultural land management across the U.S., pr......
Loading More