Search

Relocation from areas at risk is a highly effective, yet contested response to natural hazards. Affected households must deal with multiple long-term impacts on their livelihoods and communities. This study explores coping processes of households subjected to a voluntary home buyout scheme in the Danube floodplain in Austria. In a longitudinal study with three yearly waves of semi-structured qualitative interviews, 79 households were monitored over the decision-making, formation, implementation, and stabilization phases of the relocation process. Coping applies not just to those who leave but also to those who stay. Cognitive restructuring, opposition, problem solving, rumination, and escape/avoidance emerge as main coping strategies. These strategies take different characteristics depending on life circumstances and the phase of the relocation process. Most households follow a life satisfaction trajectory of resilience, recovery, or delayed recovery; they either maintain normal functioning or return to it within 5 years after announcement of the relocation program. The relocation stressor plays a minor role compared with family, job, health, and partnership, unless the relocation coincides with a personal crisis that already overstretches coping capacities. Few households exhibit a trajectory of chronic distress and remain deadlocked in social withdrawal or rumination of the lost former residence. Besides material impacts, households show a broad array of psychosocial reactions that need accounting for by cost-benefit assessments of relocation programs. Program managers should encourage positive coping strategies (e.g., support problem solving by formulation of early, structured and realistic plans) and discourage negative strategies (e.g., pre-empt opposition with citizen participation).

Planned relocation may permanently reduce exposure to natural hazards; however, residents in designated relocation zones are confronted with a broad array of challenges and face profound changes in their everyday lives. The present study empirically illustrates how economic, emotional, risk and social dimensions underpin household decisions to accept or decline a home buyout offer in a voluntary relocation program in the Eferding Basin, Austria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 79 households living in the relocation zone, transcribed and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Risk appraisal and financial feasibility of moving to a new home function as entry points to the decision process. Risk perception is strongly influenced by biographical experiences, traumatic memories, and personal resources to cope with a flood event. Economic reasons are judged in the light of the children's future prospects. Fear and uncertainty about future floods as well as a personal bond to the place are critical emotional factors. By contrast, social relationships play a marginal role because those who leave tend to resettle close-by, and because solitude and autonomy are valued higher than neighborhood networks. Status as a long-term resident, newcomer or elderly person shifts the importance of specific factors, for instance, self-efficacy beliefs or intergenerational considerations. In order to facilitate relocation program implementation, compensation payments should be complemented by communication efforts addressing the emotional and risk dimensions. Communication activities should address those who leave as well as to those who stay and should be tailored to individual needs and resources of residents.