Learning from place-based flood prevention policies: a realist approach

Due to the frequency and impact of events, flood prevention is gaining importance on public agendas. Local governments and communities have a role to play, but they often lack resources and models to face these challenges. This paper maintains that a place-based approach could address some of the shortcomings of conventional flood prevention methods, and proposes to adopt a realist methodology to learn from innovations in this field. An application is exemplified through the case of the 'community road maintenance workers' intervention. The approach seems promising to foster policies more nuanced and integrated, coupling prevention and development.