The IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report projects rising global temperatures and sea levels along with more frequent extreme weather events. Coastal areas, including Macaronesia, are highly vulnerable to these impacts, with Atlantic storms causing substantial socio-economic losses. This study investigates public perception of the rising coastal flood risks due to climate change in Garachico (Tenerife, Canary Islands) and Praia da Vitória (Terceira, Azores), as well as local willingness to adopt adaptation measures. Public surveys were conducted in both localities and these showed that Garachico’s population feels better informed and supported by government efforts, displaying greater resilience than Praia da Vitória’s population. This research underscores the importance of flexible, community-specific adaptation strategies to address varying levels of risk awareness, even in coastal areas that face similar climate-related threats.

The involvement of all stakeholders has become the first step in promoting democratic risk management, leading to an increase in resilience. This chapter describes the methodologies applied in the design, implementation, and analysis of a set of surveys on the risk perception of coastal flooding carried out in Praia da Vitória (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) via an inclusive participatory approach aimed at increasing reliance on coastal risk management. With 6% popular representation and a margin of error of 8.67%, the surveys addressed 4 thematic areas: 1 - Sociodemographic information; 2 - Previous experience of coastal flooding; 3 - Coastal flooding in daily life; and 4 - Resilience to cope with future flooding events. The results indicate a high awareness of coastal flood risk, which is becoming a frequent part of this community's reality. The population showed low confidence in municipal risk management but is open to both soft and hard constructive adaptive measures. An importance-performance analysis (IPA) revealed the community’s preferences concerning the preventive measures to be implemented. The information gathered through the surveys and their analysis, if properly used by the municipality, eases the decision-making process and is more inclusive. Thus, once the population’s confidence is re-established, resilience to risk is increased.

This research addresses the increasing vulnerability of coastal urban areas to climate change, with a particular focus on the increased risk of overtopping and coastal flooding events in Praia da Vitória, Azores. This study, conducted within the LIFE-GARACHICO project, aims to develop a holistic and flexible management approach to coastal flood risk. The methodology included a comprehensive risk assessment that combined a vulnerability analysis (considering factors such as population, land use, and infrastructure) with the probability of coastal inundation events (using oceanographic data and models). Public risk perception was assessed through surveys to understand residents’ awareness and preferences. A response protocol for overtopping events was developed with civil protection officials, and the HIDRALERTA early warning system was implemented. The risk assessment showed a mostly acceptable risk with some undesirable areas, resulting from a mostly low probability and medium vulnerability. Public surveys indicated that residents had experienced flooding but felt unprepared and preferred softer management measures such as access restrictions and early warning systems. The response protocol developed and integrated into HIDRALERTA responds to these preferences. This study concludes that this integrated framework improves coastal risk management, increases public awareness and confidence, and provides a flexible and sustainable model for coastal risk management.