Methodology for integrated socio-economic assessment of offshore platforms : towards facilitation of the implementation of the marine strategy framework directive

In this paper a Methodology for Integrated Socio-Economic Assessment (MISEA) of the viability and sustainability of different designs of Multi-Use Offshore Platforms (MUOPs) is presented. MUOPs are designed for multi-use of ocean space for energy extraction (wind power production and wave energy), aquaculture and transport maritime services. The developed methodology allows identification, valuation and assessment of: the potential range of impacts of a number of feasible designs of MUOP investments, and the likely responses of those impacted by the investment project. This methodology provides decision-makers with a valuable decision tool to assess whether a MUOP project increases the overall social welfare and hence should be undertaken, under alternative specifications regarding its design, the discount rate and the stream of net benefits, if a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is to be followed or sensitivity analysis of selected criteria in a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework. Such a methodology is also crucial for facilitating of the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD adopted in June 2008) that aims to achieve good environmental status of the EU's marine waters by 2020 and to protect the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. According to the MSFD each member state must draw up a program of cost-effective measures, while prior to any new measure an impact assessment which contains a detailed cost-benefit analysis of the proposed measures is required

Contributions towards climate change vulnerability and resilience from institutional economics

This paper analyzes the various contributions made in the economic literature that influence climate change vulnerability. We try to create conceptual order and transparence in the contributions identifying the assumptions and constraints that each school has introduced into academic debate and practical application. We analyze the conceptual framework that articulates the debate, review the theoretical approaches developed in the literature identifying the object of analysis and the basics of each theory, so that the real model implications are established in each case study. From this scheme we derive a clarifying proposal for organizing theoretical discourse. We specifically focus on the theoretical assumptions underlying each model. We conclude with some criteria for choosing the right models in each case and a general guideline for future researc

Public perception of engineering-based coastal flooding and erosion risk mitigation options: Lessons from three European coastal settings

Recent damages and losses associated with coastal floods have generated many analyses dealing with overexposure to flood risk, its consequences, associated technological choices and governance principles, and what seems to be a poor understanding of the causes and consequences of floods and working of coastal defences at the local level. While many analyses demonstrate that risks are both physically and socially constructed, in this paper we go further by analysing risk mitigation options (engineering works) as being dual (physically and socially constructed) as well. When envisioning mitigation options through stakeholders' perception, one can observe a mix of intertwined statements associated with the relevance the specific risk that is dealt with, dealing with the sometimes incomplete knowledge associated with the mitigation option and its performance at reducing risk, and, dealing with the value conflicts that may be present when envisioning a particular flood risk mitigation strategy. Our research question is \u201cwhat are the drivers of stakeholder perceptions when envisioning engineering-based mitigation options.\u201d Through qualitative empirical fieldwork conducted in three European coastal settings (Cesenatico, Santander and the Gironde Estuary) we demonstrate here that engineered mitigation solutions are socially construed by referring to individual and collective heuristics associated with these options. These heuristics may lead to poor social acceptability of envisioned mitigation options, poor acceptability not directly linked to the performance in terms of risk reduction

Inondation côtière, incertitude et changement climatique : la science comme la solution aux (mauvaises) perceptions ? Une enquête qualitative sur trois sites côtiers en Europe

International audienceThis paper contributes to the understanding of the interface between risk perception and climate change risk mitigation in coastal areas. In particular, we analyse the role of science-based knowledge and the so called “knowledge gap” in coastal stakeholders' verbalized perceptions of coastal risk. We use a qualitative approach to analyse of a corpus of 29 interviews conducted in three coastal European settings: Santander Bay (Spain), the Gironde Estuary (France), and Cesenatico (Italy). This analysis of stakeholders' perceptions of flood risk shows: (i) the science-based understanding of flooding as a probabilistic process is not always present and has little impact on the stated perceptions; and (ii) stakeholders and society as a whole frame risk mostly through values and norms. Given these findings, an increase in science-based knowledge within the world of coastal risk governance under climate change would contribute to safer coasts, provided that the production of science-based knowledge takes into account stakeholder values through a proactive dialogue with stakeholders

Teaching safety and sustainability issues in civil engineering master courses

The performance of the built environment and constructions are of major concern for Europe’s long term goal of sustainable development. At the same time, the quality of life of all European citizens needs to be improved and the safety of the built environment with respect to anthropic and natural hazards, such as flooding and earthquakes, needs to be ensured. Education has a central role to play in the transformation of the construction sector which is required to meet increasing demands with regard to safety and sustainability. It is well recognized that one of the factors with most impact on the levels of regional sustainability is education (Velasquez,1999). Nevertheless, the assumption that environmental issues should be addressed by environmental specialists and not by civil engineers is still a common issue, and must be overcome (Cortese, 1997). This paper presents the SASICE project, funded by the European Community in the context of the Lifelong Learning Programme (Erasmus Curriculum Development Program) and coordinated by the University of Bologna. The aim of this project is to promote the integration of safety and sustainability in civil engineering education. The universities participating to the project constitute a network of high level competence in civil engineering. Strategies to improve lifelong learning include the development of adapted teaching moduli, exchange of professors and joint curricula. This paper focuses on the central part of the project, i.e. the development of teaching moduli in 4 thematic areas selected at the beginning of the project. The main target of the SASICE project is to enable students to introduce these advanced topics in their curricula and to attain specific skills and expertise in safety and sustainability in Civil Engineering. The following sections present the content of the teaching moduli of the project and the way that students could benefit from the whole process

Innovative Engineering Solutions and Best Practices to Mitigate Coastal Risk

Engineering solutions are widely used for the mitigation of flood and erosion risks and have new challenges because of the expected effects induced by climate change in particular sea level rise and increase of storminess.This chapter describes both active methods of mitigation based on the reduction of the incident wave energy, such as the use of wave energy converters, floating breakwaters and artificial reefs, and passive methods, consisting of increase in overtopping resistance of dikes, improvement of resilience of breakwaters against failures, and the use of beach nourishment as well as tailored dredging operations