Walking with communities to understand flood risk

How can communities remember, understand and prepare for flood risk? In the territories of Bellinzago Lombardo, Cambiago, Gessate and Masate, two community-guided walks are bringing residents, researchers, local authorities and practitioners together to reflect on the flood that affected the area in May 2024.

The walks were co-designed with the local community and build on the previous development of a community map, which collected local knowledge, memories and perceptions of the territory. The first walk took place on 9 May, while the second is planned for 6 June.

During the walks, participants visit some of the places most significantly affected by the flood. These stops become spaces for sharing lived experiences: community members and Civil Protection officers recount what happened, highlighting not only the material damage caused by the flood, but also its less visible impacts on citizens, daily life and the local territory. The activities also include contributions from flood risk management experts and practitioners. Their role is to support a first collective reflection on possible soft measures for flood risk management, such as awareness-raising, preparedness, local coordination and community-based responses. This will provide the basis for the next phase of the project, starting in September, which will focus on the co-design of measures that are locally tailored and accepted by the community.

By actively involving citizens in data collection and collaborative learning, the initiative places local perspectives at the centre of the process. It aims to strengthen flood risk awareness while creating a shared space where scientific knowledge, practical expertise and community experience can inform each other.

The activities are carried out with Politecnico di Milano, Poliedra, the University of Potsdam, the four municipalities, and local facilitator Milena Prada, whose role is key in connecting the research process with the community.

Discover more about the DROP project below.