A proper understanding of society and social processes at the heart of the design of an information system for the management of inundation risks: the OSIRIS project approach. Philippe Blancher 1 , Roman Konieczny 2 , Guy Taliercio 3 , Tadeusz Tyszka 4 , Marc Erlich 5 Abstract Modern information and communication systems and technologies have a definite role to play for more efficient flood protection, provided a good understanding of the social di- mension of technological development in this area is secured. This paper describes how within European Union supported OSIRIS project different potential prototype solutions have been conceived and will be developed, implemented and tested in application sites. 1. Flood hazards management and sustainable development The relationship between flood hazards management and sustainable development is multifaceted. Seeking a development which “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” may ques- tion in different ways flood management traditional approaches. It is definitely a strong human need to be protected from the havoc caused by ma- jor floods, with their material and human costs (number of deaths and injured, but also very strong psychological impacts) 6 . 1 Philippe Blancher, Economie et Humanisme, Lyon, philippe.blancher@economie-humanisme.org 2 Roman Konieczny, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, Krakow, Roman_Konieczny@imgw.pl 3 Guy Taliercio, Grenoble, management consultant, guy.taliercio@wanadoo.fr 4 Tadeusz Tyszka, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, tt@atos.psychpan.waw.pl 5 Marc Erlich, SOGREAH, Grenoble, Marc.erlich@sogreah.fr 6 Ecological impacts of a major flood should not be underestimated, mainly indirect impacts. For instance, a flood may cause a chemical pollution if it strikes a chemical plant or a storage of chemical products. EnviroInfo 2001: Sustainability in the Information Society Copyright 2001 Metropolis Verlag, Marburg, ISBN: 3-89518-370-9