Is too much personal dread stifling alternative pathways to improving urban water security?

Abstract

Despite an ongoing dire prognosis of the state of water resources, water practitioners maintain their traditional approaches to water planning. Alternative water projects to those that are considered 'business-as-usual' are not contemplated despite the threats posed by increasing urbanisation and climate change. Previous studies in psychological perceptions of risk in other fields have found that the personal feelings of risk practitioners, particularly feelings of dread, have had a significant impact on risk perceptions, an element known to be affecting decision-making of an individual. Could a similar trend exist in the water sector? We consider the decision-making process of 77 water prac..