Towards Human-Centric Rapid Post-Disaster Impact Assessments Through Transdisciplinary Informatics
Abstract
This project presents a framework for rapid post-disaster assessment geared at predicting and mapping post-disaster needs beyond damage alone. The project responds to two main objectives: (1) to improve the accuracy, resolution and measuring of uncertainty in post-disaster impact assessments through geostatistical integration of multiple remote-sensing and field based datasets, and (2) to develop and incorporate measures of social-vulnerability to estimate post-disaster needs beyond building damage. Through a large-scale transdisciplinary research collaboration, we therefore develop and propose a more human-centric rather than building-centric post-disaster assessment framework. A case-study for the Nepal 2015 earthquake is used for this study. First, a novel geospatial data integration methodology was developed to simultaneously train and validate a model to estimate damage to the built-environment along with its uncertainty by combining readily available post-disaster data including (i) engineering risk analysis forecasts with (ii) near real-time remote sensing data and (iii) limited field surveys from rapid reconnaissance and response groups. Second, an extensive household-level survey was also conducted to understand and identify predictors of recovery beyond physical damage. These two are combined into a model and map of need, providing a more nuanced and human-centered estimation of post-disaster impacts and obstacles to recovery. As such, the model can provide rich information for early recovery planning. The project further provides numerous lessons on large-scale transdisciplinary research.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMPA32B..10L
- Keywords:
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- 4306 Multihazards;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 4338 Disaster policy;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 4341 Early warning systems;
- NATURAL HAZARDS;
- 4343 Preparedness and planning;
- NATURAL HAZARDS