A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation

Abstract

Resilience as a concept is often applied to address disaster risks and impacts. Metrics developed to measure the resilience of a community are often not applicable to other communities. In order for metrics to have utility and provide meaningful information to decision-makers, they need to be embedded within local contexts, be integrated across spatial scales, and address the community’s capacity for adaptation and transformation, in addition to coping. To this end, we present an innovative framework to assess subtle variations in levels of community resilience at the household, community, and regional scale. Using a case study approach, we demonstrate how local actors can apply the framework to derive an applicable suite of locally relevant indicators. The main limitation in applying this, and other participatory methods, relates to difficulties in obtaining a representative level of participatory engagement, restricting the credibility of results and success of subsequent strategies.

Keywords:

• Community adaptation
• community development
• community resilience
• disaster risk reduction
• resilience assessment

Acknowledgments

The research team would like to acknowledge the support and input of the Gympie Regional Council’s Steering Committee and the Cooloola Cove disaster management sub-group. We are also grateful to the librarians and participants in the three pilot case study locations. Finally, a big thank you to the Disaster Management Coordinator at Gympie Regional Council, and the Disaster Management Policy Advisor at LGAQ, for your support and expert advice.