The 'escalator effect' in flood policy: The case of the Costa Brava, Catalonia, Spain

This paper examines flood policies in the context of ephemeral and low-flow streams of the Cost Brava region of Catalonia, Spain. It argues that these streams are subject to the 'escalator effect' whereby hydraulic works expand to protect increasing levels of development in areas exposed to flooding. A survey undertaken with local municipal officials indicates that this continues to be the preferred alternative in flood policy. Environmental values could become a convincing way to break down the 'escalator effect' but their force is diminished by the low social appreciation of ephemeral streams. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.