Community resilience to flooding in the UK: A study of Matlock, Derbyshire

Abstract

The United Kingdom has faced recurring floods since 2019, with 5.2 million homes at risk. This has prompted the UK government to prioritise resilience planning in flood prone areas. This study focuses on community resilience in Matlock, Derbyshire, which has experienced intensified flooding since 2018. Using qualitative interviews and a focus group, the research examines evidence of community resilience and the barriers to its development by focusing on community activities during flooding incidents, if and how these were collective efforts and relationships, and what are the perceived challenges to community resilience building. Our findings revealed that residents of Matlock used local action groups and social media, community led warning systems and promotion and engagement in civic participation to foster and enhance community resilience. While bonding and bridging capital were critical to support community resilience building, there were significant barriers to linking social capital, such as the disconnect between community members and formal institutions (i.e. government organisations) that left participants disheartened and frustrated. In conclusion, the study argues that further fostering of linking social capital through policy recommendations and developments such as regular community, small grants for community initiatives and integrating local knowledge into policy frameworks will bridge the gap between communities and these external stakeholders. In doing so, activities that aim to enhance Matlock's flood resilience may inform broader strategies for place-based and devolved policies addressing environmental challenges in a wider context.