The floods of August 2023 were the largest natural disaster in independent Slovenia. Many residents
of Letuš and Male Braslovče were affected, although the areas where they live had not always been so
endangered. The purpose of this thesis is to examine flood risk in the settlements of Letuš and Male
Braslovče over time, how humans reshaped this space, and how the perception of risk changes with
temporal distance from floods. The empirical part of the research combines analysis of spatial,
historical and cartographic sources, twelve semi-structured interviews conducted in two rounds six
months apart, and an anonymous quantitative survey with 51 responses. Findings show that the
settlements developed through gradual regulation of common lands, which had previously often been
flooded, without an urban development plan. Although the area is flood-prone, not all residents were
affected by the 2023 floods, therefore many oppose the planned relocation. With temporal distance,
willingness to relocate decreases, while the desire to maintain the status quo increases, as residents
relativize perceived risk. The thesis contributes to understanding the links between the physical
characteristics of floods, social responses and decision-making processes, and offers recommendations
for future planning. It addresses the first planned relocation of residents due to floods in Slovenia and
provides an empirically grounded and neutral perspective in an otherwise polarized debate.
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