Navigating Divergent Perspectives: Assessing Landslide Risk Perception in Western Norway

The subjective perception of landslide risk among the local population can deviate from scientifically assessed risk maps, as it is often shaped by personal experience, cultural beliefs, and immediate concerns. In this study, we explore the perception of landslide risk among different groups, consisting of inhabitants from three landslide-prone villages located in Aurland municipality in western Norway. The goal is to provide a basis for developing risk management strategies aligned with local priorities. Based on preliminary scoping activities in the area and the outcomes of two engagement workshops in one of the villages,a survey was sent out to the inhabitants in allthree villages to systematically collect relevant risk perception data. The main outcome of this study is that most of the respondents are quite concerned about landslides; however, reducing the current landslide risk is not highly prioritized.

Keywords: Perception of risk, Landslide, Local knowledge, Participatory process, Survey analysis.