Development of Disaster Resilient Coastal Communities to Enhance Economic Development and Social Welfare: Book of Abstracts

Coast at risk – the importance of risk knowledge Coastal communities all over the world are under severe pressure resulting from planned and unplanned development, population growth and human induced vulnerability, coastal hazards with increasing frequency and magnitude and impacts of global climate change. These unprecedented changes have increased the level of risk of such coastal communities from a wide range of coastal hazards arising from natural phenomena and human induced activities. In this respect the assessment and management of risk for coastal hazards plays a vital role for safety of human lives, conservation of ecosystems and protection of the built environment. It leads to the development of disaster resilient communities to enhance economic development and social welfare. Risk assessment is one of the fundamental first steps towards planning, improving and implementing effective disaster risk reduction policies and programmes. One has to know and identify risks if they are to be effectively reduced and contained. There is a need to develop simplified approaches to risk assessment to convince a wider stakeholder base that investing in risk assessments pay. Such approaches bring together so many members of civil society leading the efforts to make disaster risk reduction everyone’s business

Resilience in Transportation Networks

The functionality of transportation networks is greatly challenged by risk factors such as increasing climate-related hazards, rising population exposure, and greater city vulnerability. Inevitably, the transportation network cannot withstand the impact of an overwhelming disaster, which results in rapid declines in the performance of road net-work. As a next step, the authorities need to restore the performance of the road net-work to an acceptable state as soon as possible and rebalance the conflict between the capacity of the road network and travel demand. Resilience is defined as the process of system performance degradation followed by recovery. To improve the transportation network resilience and maintain regular traffic, it is crucial to identify which factors are related to the resilience and investigate how these factors impact resilience. In this thesis, four factors, i.e., road networks, evacuees, disruption types and au-thorities, are identified to analyze resilience mechanisms. Firstly, the change in vehicle speed during a disaster is used as a measure of resilience, and we analyze the quantita-tive relationship between resilience and the structural characteristics and properties of the road network in multiple disruptions in multiple cities. The results show that the connectivity of the road network, the predictability of disruption, and the population density affect the resilience of the road network in different ways. Secondly, as the road connectivity plays a crucial role during the evacuation pe-riod and considering more frequent and extensive bushfires, we explore a practical and challenging problem: are bushfire fatalities related to road network characteristics? Con-nectivity index (CI), a composite metric that takes into account redundancy, connectivi-ty, and population exposure is designed. The statistical analysis of real-world data sug-gests that CI is significantly negatively correlated with historical bushfire fatalities. This parsimonious and simple graph-theoretic measure can provide planners a useful metric to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience among areas that are prone to bushfires. Finally, a modelling framework for optimizing road network pre-disaster invest-ment strategy under different disaster damage levels is proposed. A bi-level multi-objective optimization model is formulated, in which the upper-level aims to maximize the capacity-based functionality and robustness of the road network, and the lower-level is the user equilibrium problem. To efficiently solve the model, the Shapley value is used to select candidate edges and obtain a near-optimal project order. For more reality, the heterogeneity of road segments to hazards and the correlation of road segments in dif-ferent hazard phases are considered. Realistic speed data is used to explore the depend-ency between different disaster states with copula functions. The numerical results illus-trate that the investment strategy is significantly influenced by the road edge character-istics and the level of disaster damage. Critical sections that can significantly improve the overall functionality of the network are identified. Overall, the core contribution of this thesis is to provide insights into the evalua-tion and analysis of resilience in transportation networks, as well as develop modelling frameworks to promote resilience. The results of this work can provide a theoretical ba-sis for road network design, pre-disaster investment and post-disaster emergency rescue

Toward cognitive digital twins using a BIM-GIS asset management system for a diffused university

The integrated use of building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS) is promising for the development of asset management systems (AMSs) for operation and maintenance (O & M) in smart university campuses. The combination of BIM-GIS with cognitive digital twins (CDTs) can further facilitate the management of complex systems such as university building stock. CDTs enable buildings to behave as autonomous entities, dynamically reacting to environmental changes. Timely decisions based on the actual conditions of buildings and surroundings can be provided, both in emergency scenarios or when optimized and adaptive performances are required. The research aims to develop a BIM-GIS-based AMS for improving user experience and enabling the optimal use of resources in the O & M phase of an Italian university. Campuses are complex assets, mainly diffused with buildings spread across the territory, managed with still document-based and fragmented databases handled by several subjects. This results in incomplete and asymmetrical information, often leading to ineffective and untimely decisions. The paper presents a methodology for the development of a BIM-GIS web-based platform (i.e., AMS-app) providing the real-time visualization of the asset in an interactive 3D map connected to analytical dashboards for management support. Two buildings of the University of Turin are adopted as demonstrators, illustrating the development of an easily accessible, centralized database by integrating spatial and functional data, useful also to develop future CDTs. As a first attempt to show the AMS app potential, crowd simulations have been conducted to understand the buildings' actual level of safety in case of fire emergency and demonstrate how CDTs could improve it. The identification of data needed, also gathered through the future implementation of suitable sensors and Internet of Things networks, is the core issue together with the definition of effective asset visualization and monitoring methods. Future developments will explore the integration of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies to enable space use optimization and real-time wayfinding during evacuation, exploiting digital tools to alert and drive users or authorities for safety improvement. The ability to easily optimize the paths with respect to the actual occupancy and conditions of both the asset and surroundings will be enabled

Towards a Resilient Future: Experiences with Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

This testimony shows the urgency of the problems faced by people on the front line of climate change, which is exposing more and more people to increased risk of dis This testimony shows the urgency of the problems faced by people on the front line of climate change, which is exposing more and more people to increased risk of diaster and directly affecting their lives and livelihoods. Tragically, the global community turns a blind eye to the severity of the risks posed by climate change and is doing too little to help people prepare themselves for these risks. Community managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR) is an effective strategy of addressing the impacts and effects of climate change and reducing communities' vulnerability to disasters

Proceedings of ARCOM Doctoral Workshop on 'Industry 4.0 and Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment': ARCOM Doctoral Workshop in association with CIB W120 - Disasters and the Built Environment

Disruptive innovations of the 4th industrial revolution are now starting to make an impact on construction. Although construction has lagged behind some of the other industries in embracing this revolution, recent years have seen a concentrated effort to drive change in construction processes and practices. The 4th industrial revolution is characterised by technologies such as digitisation, optimisation, and customisation of production, automation and adaptation; as well as processes such as human machine interaction; value-added services and businesses, and automatic data exchange and communication. In construction, the applications of Industry 4.0 include 3D printing of building components, autonomous construction vehicles, the use of drones for site and building surveying, advanced offsite manufacturing facilities etc. The application of technologies, processes associated with Industry 4.0 is seen to be already making an impact on construction, and reshaping the future of built environment. This new digital era of construction, fuelled by Industry 4.0, has significant potential to enhance disaster resilience practices in the built environment. Knowledge on resilience of the built environment including preparedness, response and recovery has advanced significantly over the recent years and we are now in an era where resilience is seen as a key constituent of the built environment. But the recurring and devastating impacts of disasters constantly challenge us to improve our practices and seek ways of achieving greater heights in our quest of achieving a resilient built environment. It is often proposed that the innovations associated with Industry 4.0 joined by IoTs and sensors can be exploited to enhance the ability of the built environment to prepare for and adapt to climate change and withstand and recover rapidly from the impacts of disasters. This integration of cyber physical systems through IoTs needs a holistic view of disaster resilience. Often, the focus is on benefits individual technologies can offer. However, the ability to integrate different aspects of disaster resilience using a range of new technologies promise to deliver wider benefits beyond and above what individual technologies can offer. For instance, an integrated digital twin allows to bring together advanced risk modelling, big data, cloud computing, internet of things, advanced off-site manufacturing, etc. together to deliver a resilient built environment. This requires careful planning and extensive research on the complexities surrounding disaster resilience related aspects and the use of related data. The ultimate objective of any new innovation, including Industry 4.0, should ideally be to benefit the society. The society that we live today is often disrupted by natural hazard induced disasters, whether it be floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides or tsunamis. The challenge that is in front of us is to effectively utilise new innovations driven by digital information to enhance disaster resilience in our buildings, communities, cities and regions. However, unlike earlier industrial revolutions, digital revolution is not easy to control. We must ensure that the fundamental values such as freedom, openness and pluralism are inbuilt in these new technologies. This is an uncharted territory for us. In addition to addressing complexities and challenges of using Industry 4.0 technologies, we also need to have policies and guidelines on the use of information. There should be a balance between innovation and regulation. We are confident that by bringing together researchers, practitioners and policy-makers alike from relevant disciplines we can deliver realistic benefits to transform our disaster resilience practices and policies, and make the built environment we live in more resilient

Total safety by design: Increased safety and operability of supply chain of inland terminals for containers with dangerous goods

[EN] In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the international transport of containers with dangerous goods, increasing the risk of seaports and surrounding cities together with the introduction of inherent environmental and security disaster risks. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in seaports that are more socially inclusive, addressing the storage of containers of hazardous goods to safe inland terminals. An appropriate design of inland terminals for containers with dangerous goods (ITDGs) may contribute to the achievement of a sustainable development and the minimization of risks, avoiding disasters such as Tianjin. The objective of this study was the analysis of the criteria used for the design of safe, secure, cost efficient and greener ITDGs by applying the multicriteria decision theory AHP (analytic hierarchy process). Criteria regarding safety and security, environmental care, productivity and information and communication technologies (ICT) have been considered simultaneously into a total performance management system. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Public funding entity: Generalitat Valenciana.Molero Prieto, GD.; Santarremigia Rosaleny, FE.; Aragonés-Beltrán, P.; Pastor-Ferrando, J. (2017). Total safety by design: Increased safety and operability of supply chain of inland terminals for containers with dangerous goods. Safety Science. 100(B):168-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2016.10.007S168182100

Handbook on Climate Change and Disaster Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices

This handbook was developed to help governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in safe water delivery, sanitation hygiene at local level, union and ward disaster management committees, to enhance their respective capacities to cope with climate change and disaster risks. It considers the rural context of Bangladesh and provides field-level workers and practitioners practical ideas about water supply, sanitation and hygiene practices in the context of climate change and disaster risk

Mass Evacuation Effects on Transportation: A Comparative Analysis

Mass evacuations have changed greatly in the past two decades. Evacuations such as Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, Florida during Hurricane Irma, and New York during the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Hurricane Sandy, and Hurricane Irene have had significant impacts on future mass evacuations in terms of transportation. This paper takes these methods and analyzes the best approach in given situations based on volume capacity, impact, and cost to make recommendations that can be used by the three previously mention municipalities. With so many different techniques available, it is important to choose the one that moves the most people out of harm’s way as quickly and effectively as possible while still being economical. Data from various transportation engineering professionals is used to examine different techniques. Many of these papers have been published by Transportation Research Board. Additionally, a subject matter expert interview was conducted with Dr. Scott Parr, Ph.D. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Based on the research conducted, Emergency Shoulder Usage (ESU) is a superior option to contraflow. Fee suspension also has a significant impact on areas with a low-income area. In areas where there was a switch from pretimed signal timing to semi-actuated or fully actuated signal timing a better LOS during mass evacuations was seen. For the implementation of these techniques to be beneficial, resiliency is important and why the last recommendation calls for professionals to petition for better infrastructure and resiliency. Based on the research conducted, Emergency Shoulder Usage (ESU) is a superior option to contraflow. Fee suspension also has a significant impact on areas with a low-income area. In areas where there was a switch from pretimed signal timing to semi-actuated or fully actuated signal timing a better LOS during mass evacuations was seen. For the implementation of these techniques to be beneficial, resiliency is important and why the last recommendation calls for professionals to petition for better infrastructure and resiliency