Communicating science within disaster risk reduction using methods that encourage two-way dialogue between scientists and laypersons is a challenging task. This communication aims at presenting a methodological strategy of communicating risk and non-structural seismic protection measures through participatory maquette modelling. Such methodological strategy is part of a pilot experience of risk communication in two Lisbon schools (Portugal) under the EU project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements).
The efficacy of education for seismic safety is often inhibited by an incomplete understanding of the process by which individuals decide to protect themselves from harm (Becker et al. 2012). Becker et. al (in ibid) conceive such process has composed by a series of stages, respectively: knowledge and awareness, thinking and talking, understand the consequences, develop skills. The above-mentioned pilot experience of risk communication was designed in order to trigger the cognitive process underlying behavioral change. Lisbon is a dormant society as far as it concerns to earthquake risk. Given this, risk communication was firstly designed to generate awareness and knowledge among target-groups. Thinking and talking, jointly with the development of skills, was stimulated through the creation of “game show” around seismic risk issue and a set of sessions around the building of a maquette. This activity was inspired on participatory mapping methodologies (Cadag, 2012). It functioned as a facilitator of the interpretation and understanding of non-structural seismic vulnerabilities and alternatives of protection.