Local discussion groups
Following empirical investigation by scientists, the SOLARIS results will be presented and valorized within the frame of Local Discussion Groups
The local stakeholders discussion groups will be implemented in collaboration with local institutional stakeholders in order to better reach target communities. Local authorities, private parties, small business, communities and so on will be involved. Discussions groups may contribute to the definition of future CCAP at local level. The outcomes of Discussion Groups will also contribute to the final scientific results of SOLARIS.
At least one discussion group will be organised in each of the 8 sites studied.
Below you will find reports and pictures from each of the local discussion groups as they take place.
Belgium
Beerse
Antwerp, July, 2, 2024.
The belgian team organized a local discussion group in Antwerp, with experts from provincial and municipal governments and consultancy organisations, involved, or not, in the Beerse case. This discussion focused on the perceived justice of nature-based solutions (NBS), solidarity between upstream-downstream inhabitants as well as co-creation for the design of these projects. The Beerse case from SOLARIS project served as an example for all these topics, but participants were given the opportunity to share their own experiences on other projects.
You can find the presentation for the Beerse LDG here.
Geraardsbergen
Antwerp, May, 31, 2024.
This local discussion group was held by the SOLARIS belgian team in Antwerp with public authorities from the local-level as well as the Flemish government. As this discussion group focused on the subject of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) and the (in)equality and justice considerations related to the topic, experts and actors from the private sector working on PFR were also invited. The SOLARIS case study of Geraardsbergen served of support to discuss on the emergency of PFR in Flanders. The exchange also allowed to discuss initiatives such as Build Back Better (BBB) developed in England and its feasibility and applicability in Flanders.
You can find the presentation for the Geraardsbergen LDG here.
England
West Sussex
Selsey, October, 25, 2023.
The SOLARIS English team organized a local discussion group in October 2023 in Selsey with local public authorities, Flood Action Groups, coastal engineers but also residents. First, the team presented the SOLARIS project. Then they discussed with the group different subjects related to the West Sussex study case such as justice and equality in policy, planning and place making, Shoreline Management Plan and/or participatory processes. The participants had the opportunity to discuss local challenges and findings.
You can find the worksheet for the West Sussex LDG here.
Finland
Helsinki Metropolitan area
Helsinki, January, 15, 2024.
The finnish team of SOLARIS held a local discussion group in January 2024 in Helsinki. This discussion was addressed to key authorities, residents’ associations as well as social and rescue organisations in the field of flood risk and adaptation. The event allowed a joint discussion between the group members. They gave their comments on the four preliminary recommendations based on the findings of the SOLARIS study : improving participation, integrating equity issues into social impact assessments, supporting actors’ agency and communicating information on flood risks to non-property owners.
You can find the presentation for the Helsinki LDG here.
France
Ault
Ault, November, 13, 2023.
For the Ault study case, the SOLARIS team organized two sessions of local discussion groups : one with inhabitants and NGO and another one with actors from the Town Hall and the local Syndicat Mixte. The exchange with these groups allowed to confirm some results from this study case, such as the awareness of a risk but no sens of danger from the inhabitants. Each discussion was also the opportunity to challenge the results from the SOLARIS project. The Ault case was especially compared by the participants to the West Sussex case in England, because of similar situations.
You can find the presentation for the Ault LDG here.
Blois
Blois, January, 12, 2024.
On January 2024, the french team of SOLARIS met about thirty people from Blois Agglomeration (inhabitants of the site, inter-munincipal actors, state administration, NGO…). They presented the SOLARIS project and, in particular, the case study of La Bouillie in Blois. This group discussion focused on different subjects linked to this case study. For example, the participants testified about the psychological and social effects of the operation on the inhabitants. They also questionned themselves on the place of memory and social justice in the amenagement and adaptation to the climate change policies.
You can find the presentation for the Blois LDG here.
