Risk maps on the Internet: Transparency and the management of risks

In this essay the consequences of the transparency of physical risks through the Internet are explored by posing three questions: do citizens in the Netherlands use risk maps to find out what risks there are in their neighbourhoods, does this enhance their involvement in the management of risks, and, do risk maps on the Internet and citizen involvement improve the quality of risk management? It is argued that transparency does not lead to a better informed citizenry since few citizens look at the risk maps on the Internet and, as a consequence, citizens are not more involved in the management of physical risks. In spite of the lack of citizen involvement, transparency does improve the quality of risk management. Transparency puts pressure on governments and companies and stimulates them into performing better. In addition to this optimistic conclusion, the essay also points at a dark side to openness: terrorists may use the information about physical risks to plan attacks. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]