984 research outputs found
Priorities for EU-South Asia cooperation in research and innovation to address societal challenges
A briefing paper highlighting the priorities for EU-South Asia cooperation in research and innovation to address societal challenges has just been published as part of the CASCADE (Collaborative Action towards Societal Challenges through Awareness, Development, and Education ) project led by GDRCâs Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga.
This paper examines the policy and interests of seven countries in South Asia with respect to the seven thematic societal challenges identified under the EUâs Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing; Food security, sustainable agricultures, marine and maritime research and the bio-based economy; Clean and efficient energy; Smart, green and integrated transport; Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials; A changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies; and, Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of the country and its citizens.
Other key points include the need for EU linkages with Asian countries given the regionâs rapidly growing research and innovation capacities; urgency to address major concerns shared by citizens in Europe, South Asia and elsewhere; and eleven priorities identified for cooperation in research and innovation to address societal challenges
Moving from 2015 to 2030: challenges and opportunities for higher education in developing resilience to disasters
In recent years, the higher education community has played an increasingly important role in moving disaster science from a responsive, primarily technical discipline, to a broad, multi-disciplinary movement that seeks to build societal resilience to disaster. This study sets out some of the key challenges and op-portunities for higher education towards tackling the challenges set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030, which was adopted by 187 UN member states in March 2015.
The study brings together existing literature in the field, as well as the results of various analysis and study projects undertaken by a European network project.
Five key areas of focus are identified in working towards 2030: Link research, education and action; Integrate all hazards, stakeholders and disciplines; Collaborate regionally and globally; Facilitate policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and capacity development; Develop flexible and customisable education programmes
An exploration of the construction industry's role in disaster preparedness, response and recovery
The construction industryâs role in reconstruction activities following disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, is well documented. In particular, post-disaster reconstruction has been the subject of a significant body of research, with particular emphasis on developing countries that are less able to deal with the causes and impacts of disasters. There is, however, growing recognition that the construction industry has a much broader role to anticipate, assess, prevent, prepare, respond and recover from disruptive challenges. Advocates suggest construction professionals have a key role to play because they are involved in the construction of the infrastructure, and therefore should also be involved when an event destroys that infrastructure. They also suggest that the construction professions are in the best position to frame the discussion of the costbenefit trade-offs that occur in the risk management process; for example, the need for risk avoidance against the cost of implementing safety strategies.
This exploratory paper considers the need for a more expansive view of the life cycle of infrastructure projects: one that extends beyond the traditional cycle of feasibility analysis, planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and divestiture. This revised life cycle considers the construction professionalâs ability to anticipate and respond to events, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, which damage or destroy an infrastructure project and reflects the construction industryâs ongoing responsibility toward an infrastructureâs users
Review of impact of post-tsunami reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities
On 26 December 2004, an earthquake in the West Coast of Northern
Sumatra set off a series of other earthquakes lasting for several hours
which resulted in a Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. This led to widespread
disaster, particularly in Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Indonesia and
Thailand, with damage also in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Somalia, the
Seychelles and Kenya. Sri Lanka, the âpearl of the Indian Oceanâ, blessed
with abundant natural resources, faced one of the worst natural disasters
recorded in recent history. The Tsunami struck a relatively thin but long
coastal area stretching over 1,000 kilometers - two thirds of the country's
coastline. The destructive ocean waves killed more than 35,000 people,
displaced nearly 2,500,000 people and destroyed thousands of
houses. The overall damage to Sri Lanka is estimated at $1 billion, with a
large proportion of losses concentrated in housing, tourism, fisheries and
transportation. Development Partners range from private individuals both
inside and outside Sri Lanka, to governments and NGOs. Coastal
infrastructure, namely roads, railways, power, telecommunications, water
supply and fishing ports were also significantly affected. Reactions ranged
from immediate assistance to communities and local governments in
restarting to function as speedily as possible, to short and long-term
assistance in supporting communities to rebuild their infrastructure and
housing so that they might again have normal lives and eventually recover
from the trauma of the tsunami.
As the infrastructure consists primarily of transportation, electric and
telecommunications, and water and sewerage facilities that provide
services to the public through a network of roads, rails, ports, airports, pipes
and lines, the effectiveness of infrastructure systems impact on all
economic activities. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the impact of
the Tsunami on infrastructure facilities in Sri Lanka and how the postTsunami
reconstruction process has affected the development of the same.
A comprehensive literature review was carried out regarding the Tsunami
and its impact on the nation. The infrastructure-related reconstruction and
rehabilitation data were obtained from the RADA (Reconstruction And
Development Agency, formerly TAFREN) through unstructured interviews
conducted among personnel involved in the reconstruction and
rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities. Results confirm that after almost
one and a half years, the Tsunami rehabilitation process is slow as
compared to its start
Addressing housing needs in minimising the problems of post conflict housing reconstruction
Depleted human and social capital, displacement of people, destruction of property, weakened
institutions and ruined economy are some of the legacies of conflicts. Within this context, post
conflict reconstruction contributes to overcome the legacies of conflict through reactivating the
development process that has been disrupted by the conflict. Among the post conflict reconstruction
interventions, post conflict housing reconstruction is paramount important as it contributes to
development and peace through restoring the economic and social life of conflict affected people.
Despite the importance, the success of post conflict housing reconstruction is hindered by a number
of problems such as lack of strategies to address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable
households, lack of involvement of local people, lack of use of local building material and
technology, lack of local economic development, lack of community linkages, lack of cultural and
local consideration, overlooked socio-economic conditions of occupants, standardised housing
models, housing models imported from different cultures, lack of beneficiary consultation, poor
performance of agencies, bribery and corruptions and lack of post occupancy evaluation. If not
properly managed, these issues lead to hinder the success of post conflict housing reconstruction and
its contribution to the development and peace. This paper argues that lack of concern on housing
needs has directly or indirectly given rise for most of these issues through a comprehensive literature
review on post conflict housing reconstruction and housing needs. The paper establishes the link
between the problems of housing reconstruction and lack of addressing housing needs. Accordingly,
it concludes that adequate housing measures provide a general guideline in addressing housing needs
and addressing such needs leads to minimise the problems of post conflict housing reconstruction
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