SLow Onset Disaster Events Factors in Italian Built Environment Archetypes

Resilience of the built environment is a primary issue to provide the citizens users a high-quality environment and livable cities. The aim of this research is to identify the Built Environment (BE) typologies prone to the Slow Onset Disasters (SLODs), in Italian cities. A SLOD can be defined as an uninterrupted, gradual or variable, low intensity and high frequency event that generates a negative effect on population, which on the long term can generate significant health and environmental decay. The results of the research have demonstrated that some SLODs type are more impacting within the built environment: the air pollution concentration and the increasing temperatures. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that some urban archetypes: the piazza, piazzale and the urban canyon are more prone to produce negative effects on the population through amplification of the consequences of the exposure to the SLODs. The article concludes with some insights (solar radiation and wind tunneling analysis) on the most critical architypes, for understanding better how they perform under specific conditions. This research, within the context of the Italian research project (PRIN) BE S ECURe, is to be intended as the first step towards the definition of a method for assessment of the effects of the SLODs risk on a specific part of the city.

SLow Onset Disaster Events Factors in Italian Built Environment Archetypes

Resilience of the built environment is a primary issue to provide the citizens users a high-quality environment and livable cities. The aim of this research is to identify the Built Environment (BE) typologies prone to the Slow Onset Disasters (SLODs), in Italian cities. A SLOD can be defined as an uninterrupted, gradual or variable, low intensity and high frequency event that generates a negative effect on population, which on the long term can generate significant health and environmental decay. The results of the research have demonstrated that some SLODs type are more impacting within the built environment: the air pollution concentration and the increasing temperatures. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that some urban archetypes: the piazza, piazzale and the urban canyon are more prone to produce negative effects on the population through amplification of the consequences of the exposure to the SLODs. The article concludes with some insights (solar radiation and wind tunneling analysis) on the most critical architypes, for understanding better how they perform under specific conditions. This research, within the context of the Italian research project (PRIN) BE S2ECURe, is to be intended as the first step towards the definition of a method for assessment of the effects of the SLODs risk on a specific part of the city

The Role of Applied Epidemiology Methods in the Disaster Management Cycle

Disaster epidemiology (i.e., applied epidemiology in disaster settings) presents a source of reliable and actionable information for decision-makers and stakeholders in the disaster management cycle. However, epidemiological methods have yet to be routinely integrated into disaster response and fully communicated to response leaders. We present a framework consisting of rapid needs assessments, health surveillance, tracking and registries, and epidemiological investigations, including risk factor and health outcome studies and evaluation of interventions, which can be practiced throughout the cycle. Applying each method can result in actionable information for planners and decision-makers responsible for preparedness, response, and recovery. Disaster epidemiology, once integrated into the disaster management cycle, can provide the evidence base to inform and enhance response capability within the public health infrastructure