Emerald | International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment

Urbanisation and hydro-meteorological disaster resilience: the case of Delhi

Sunil Kumar Prashar, Rajib Shaw — 2012-02-24 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of institutions dealing with disaster risk in Delhi and propose possible solutions for disaster risk reduction. Design/methodology/approach - The approach to assess the role of institutions is based on the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI) questionnaire survey. It evaluates roles based on parameters such as disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation mainstreaming, effectiveness of crisis management framework, knowledge dissemination and management, institutional collaboration with other stakeholders, and good governance.Findings - The findings show the institution’s limitations and strengths to face climate related disaster risk in Delhi. It further identifies possible areas for disaster risk reduction. Research limitations/implications - The methodology is new and it only incorporates disasters that are climate-related. The study does not include man-made, geological, and biological disasters.Originality/value - The paper is unique in its approach to identify gaps in the current approach in managing disaster risk in Delhi and puts forward the possible ways to deal with disaster risk. Moreover, very few studies have been done in this area.

Vulnerability of rural houses to cyclonic wind

Pradeep Kumar Goyal, Tushar Kanti Datta, Virendra Kumar Vijay — 2012-02-24 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a method for evaluating vulnerability of rural houses to cyclonic wind for countries where systematic documentation and analysis of damage data are inadequate. The effects of important parameters such as the ratio of non-engineered to semi-engineered houses, types of houses like old, new etc., wind speed and damage states on the overall probability of failure are investigated.Design/methodology/approach - A systematic procedure is presented for estimating the vulnerability of a cluster of rural houses to cyclones by performing a fragility analysis for different predefined damage states. The method is illustrated with the help of an example in which hundred rural houses are considered in a region.Findings - The results of the study show that the ratio (ns) has significant effect on the probability of failure for the middle range of the percentile value. Number of different types of houses does not have significant effect on the probability of failure and for high value of ns , a large number of houses have nearly the same probability of failure.Originality/value - The method is useful in finding an initial estimate of the overall probability of failure of a cluster of houses for different damage states and accordingly, in deciding the optimal allocation of resources for cyclone disaster mitigation.

Aiming for Resilience and Adaptation in Managing Environment: An Emerging Environmental and Emergency Leadership in the 21st Century

Tun Lin Moe — 2012-02-24 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose: Environmental and emergency leaders are important individuals who play a vital role in managing ecological resources. Based on the resilience thinking of Walker & Salt (2006), this study highlights how resilience for adaptive management can be built by incorporating vision formation of environmental and emergency management leaders.Design/methodology/approach - Design/Method/Approach: The study addresses two research questions: (1) what constitutes environmental and emergency leadership systems? and (2) how are the concepts of vulnerability, resilience, and adaptation relevant to the environmental and emergency management processes? The study employs two case studies and discusses how resilience leadership can be incorporated into environmental management and emergency management systems in organizations. Findings - Findings: This study includes a review that consists of activities in resilience-building, and the process of vision formation. It explains how resilience thinking influences vision. Investigations of the application of the resilience approach by examining two environmental and emergency leadership organizations in Arizona demonstrate how situations can improve with resilience thinking and leadership in emergency and environmental management systems. Originality/value - Originality/values: This study contributes to the knowledge body of resilience and leadership by calling importance and incorporation of resilience thinking into the management systems of environment and emergency management.

Vulnerabilty Assessment and Retrofitting of Existing School Buildings: A case Study of Aceh

Hari Darshan Shrestha, Ryuichi Yatabe, Netra Prakash Bhandary, Jishnu Subedi — 2012-02-24 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The paper emphasizes that seismically vulnerable existing buildings can be made safe against earthquake by retrofitting. The study shows that the option of retrofitting of existing buildings is cost effective in comparison with the cost of demolition and reconstructing new building. As the widely held perception is that retrofitting is complicated process and is expensive, the purpose of this study is to analyze cost effectiveness of retrofitting existing of buildings in order to make them safer against earthquake and also to add child friendly features. This case study focuses on simple method of retrofitting on rectangular single storey existing school buildings. The school buildings are of different types based on material, shape and size, number of storeys and their vulnerability to earthquake is different case by case. The paper also outlines the process of vulnerability assessment and approach to retrofitting. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on the data collected from a case study carried out in Aceh (Indonesia) as a part of assessment of vulnerability of newly constructed school facilities and retrofitting them in order to increase their seismic performance. Findings - One of the key findings of this study is that retrofitting can be achieved through the use of simple methods, tools and equipment and local human resource. This approach not only reduced the vulnerability of school children to earthquake disaster but also contributed to disseminate the message of culture of safety among the neighboring communities. Another major finding of the study is that cost of retrofitting is less compared to the cost of demolition and rebuilding. The retrofitting option further saves the cost as it is time saving and the downtime is less. The retrofitting process and onsite training can also be an effective medium for dissemination of best construction practices in the community. The process also helps the local people to understand the context of risk and raise awareness on disaster risk reduction. Research limitations/implications - The findings of this paper is not limited to vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of school building in Aceh. It can be replicated in other parts of Indonesia and countries having similar type of buildingsPractical implications - The findings of this paper will be useful for decision makers to replicate similar process in other types of schools in other areas. The findings will also be useful advocate disaster safer and child friendly schools Originality/value - The paper is unique in its findings that retrofitting of school building does not only make the schools safer and reduces the risk of children at risk but also is cost effective compared to new construction.

Subterranean Infrastructure Reconnaissance for Manmade and Natural Hazards and Disasters

Todd Richard White, Samuel T. Ariaratnam, John Michael — 2012-02-24 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The consideration of all aspects of the systems that support a community is necessary to accomplish adequate long range asset planning and protection. This paper introduces the addition of a subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance emphasis to an existing series of vulnerability assessment tools used by the State of Arizona, and investigates economic impact (disaster recovery) estimation methods for potential incorporation. The intent is to provide a framework for model development and suggest data to be collected.Design/methodology/approach - Through modifications of existing system components, a subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance emphasis is proposed for the State of Arizona’s current vulnerability assessment tools. Although they can be adjusted as needed, the modifications presented herein include eleven subterranean assets and ten threats to subterranean assets. Furthermore, existing methods for estimating the economic impact of disasters are investigated via literature reviews, emails, and telephone correspondence.Findings - Regarding the subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance component, a number emerging technologies are currently available to monitor the various infrastructure elements from the identified potential threats. The process of linking the various data collection elements into a comprehensive surveillance system is currently underway in Arizona. Interim reconnaissance techniques using local statistic models will be applied incrementally while the data integration process is underway. With respect to the economic impact estimation module, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s HAZUS-MH loss estimation model was identified as a top prospect for testing.Research limitations/implications - The research focuses on examining the interdependencies and vulnerabilities of critical subterranean infrastructure. Therefore, critical surface or above ground infrastructure components are not primarily discussed. Additionally, this paper presents only a plan; there are no empirical results to date. Practical implications - The methodology discussed may be utilized to support the decision making process for managing resources used to sustain subterranean infrastructure operations, with the goal of providing resiliency to community support mechanisms.Originality/value - The specific focus on developing a subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance emphasis in a State’s disaster management program is a novel tool for Arizona. The value is to enhancing preparation, response, resilience, and recovery from hazards and disasters affecting the State’s critical subterranean infrastructure. It is theorized that value will further be generated in a resulting subterranean infrastructure reconnaissance template, which can be adopted by other emergency and disaster management organizations.