Public Perception of Flood Mitigation Projects in the Coastal Villages of Dumai, Riau Province

Abstract

This paper explores the factors that affect social participation and the success of flood prevention projects by analysing public views on those projects in the coastal villages of Dumai, Riau Province, Indonesia. Based on a constructivist research paradigm, semi-structured interviews were conducted and attempted to uncover participants’ experience and perceptions of the tested projects and their long-term feasibility. The study shows that even though flood management strategies have successfully minimized cases of flooding, the following difficulties still occur. The perceived problems were social factors: exclusion from the decision-making process, and cultural factors: their conflict with traditional practices. Another disadvantage of economic involvement was that it also reduced the communities involvement and questioned the viability of the infrastructure. This paper fills voids within the literature first, by revealing how stakeholders without input significantly influence community level flood combating decisions crucial input is deliberately excluded from flood decision-making to the disadvantage of the often socially marginalized communities second, by stressing the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge in combating extreme flooding occurrences. Further, the research emphasizes the need for sustaining the economic aspect for continued delivery of flood prevention measures.