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Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Hazards and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2022) | Viewed by 15897

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Prof. Dr. Kalliopi Sapountzaki

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Guest Editor

Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, 176 71 Athens, Greece
Interests: disaster management; risk communication; risk governance and risk management; sustainability; spatial planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural disasters that have been acknowledged recently as Social-Natural Disasters (indicative of the Anthropocene era) are probably the most complex problem that the global society is faced with. The causal origins and theoretical interpretations of these disasters are to be found at the interface/intersection of natural sciences with technical, social and behavioral sciences while disaster management is a matter of the appropriate interface of political science with engineering and life sciences.

Coping with social-natural disasters or the mitigation of disaster risk is a sequence of human, societal and policy responses (strategies, measures and actions) during the successive and overlapping phases of the disaster (risk) management cycle: the long-term prevention, short-term preparedness and emergency phases and the long-term relief and recovery/reconstruction phase. Each management phase is facilitated by multi-, inter- or trans-disciplinary scientific inputs depending on the type of disaster and the management scope and objectives. For instance, relief and recovery action is guided by multi-disciplinary input, mainly from economics, planning and political science, as well as engineering sciences.

Every management measure stemming from one and single scientific disciplines and targeting one single component or aspect of the disaster system is doomed to fail because this measure disregards the interconnected components and aspects of the system. An instructive example is flood protection works such as dikes with the community behind them to overrate protection levels (low risk perception) due to the lack of risk information. Another example is a new seismic design code for buildings that is socially not acceptable, hence impracticable, owing to the high construction costs implied.

The Special Issue elevates the interactive, natural and manmade causes of Social-Natural Disasters; investigates the scientific disciplines involved in specific disaster management problems; points to the disaster management failures implied by one-dimensional and single discipline strategies and measures; presents integrated approaches to disaster risk or disaster impacts; and proposes multi- and trans-disciplinary disaster management plans and programs.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amaratunga, D., Siriwardena, M., Malalgoda, C., Pathirage, C. and Thayaparan, M. (2011), “Lifelong learning needs for disaster management education in the built environment”, in Amaratunga, D., Haigh, R., Keraminiyage, K., Kulatunga, U. and Pathirage, C. (eds.), Proceedings of International Conference on Building Resilience 2011: Interdisciplinary approaches to disaster risk reduction, and the development of sustainable communities and cities, Kandalama, Sri Lanka, 19–21 July 2011.
Collins, A., Jones, S., Manyena, B., Jayawickrama, J. (eds.) (2015), Hazards, risks and disasters in society, Hazards and Disasters Series, Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Cutter, S.L., Ismail-Zadeh, A., Alcántara-Ayala, I., Altan, O., Baker, D.N., Briceño, S., Gupta, H., Holloway. A., Johnston, D., McBean, G.A., Ogawa, Y., Paton, D., Porio, E., Silbereisen, R.K., Takeuchi, K., Valsecchi, G.B., Vogel. C., Wu, G. (2015), “Pool knowledge to stem losses from disasters, Nature, 522:277–279.
Gall, M., Nguyen, K.H. and Cutter, S. (2015), “Integrated research on disaster risk: is it really integrated?”, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Vol. 12, pp. 255-267.
Ismail-Zadeh, A.T., Cutter, S., Takeuchi, K. and Paton, D. (2017), “Forging a paradigm shift in disaster science”, Natural Hazards, Vol. 86, No. 969, pp. 1-20.
Matsuura, S. and Razak, K.A. (2019), "Exploring transdisciplinary approaches to facilitate disaster risk reduction", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 817-830. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-09-2019-0289
Sapountzaki, K., Wanczura, S., Casertano, G., Greiving, S., Xanthopoulos, G., Ferrara, F. F. (2011), “Disconnected policies and actors and the missing role of spatial planning throughout the risk management cycle”, Natural Hazards 59, pp. 1445–1474.
Shaw, R., Izumi, T. and Shi, P. (2016), “Perspectives of science and technology in disaster risk reduction of Asia”, International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 7, No. 4, pp. 329-342.
Shaw, R., Mallick, F. and Tekeuchi, Y. (2011), “Chapter 5 essentials of higher education in disaster risk reduction: prospects and challenges”, in Shaw, R. et al. (Eds), Disaster Education, Vol. 7, pp. 95-113.
Shi, P., Ye, T., Wang, Y. et al.(2020), “Disaster Risk Science: A Geographical Perspective and a Research Framework”, International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 11, pp. 426–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-020-00296-5
Sutanta, , Rajabifard, A. and I. D. Bishop (2009), “An Integrated Approach for Disaster Risk Reduction Using Spatial Planning and SDI Platform”, in Ostendorf B., Baldock, P., Bruce, D., Burdett, M. and P. Corcoran (eds.), Proceedings of the Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute Biennial International Conference, Adelaide 2009, Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute, pp. 341-351.
Takeuchi, K., Momo, R. and Tsukahara, K. (2016), “Transdisciplinary approach for building societal resilience to disasters – vision, strategy and envisioned activities of TC21”, Japan Society of Civil Engineers ( JSCE), Technical Committee Paper for Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC), Tokyo.

Prof. Dr. Kalliopi Sapountzaki
Guest Editor

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Keywords

integrated approaches to disaster risk/disaster impacts (social, economic, political, psychological, environmental, systemic)
cascading hazards and systemic risks
climate change and disasters
resource over-exploitation and disasters
urbanization, social-natural hazards and disasters
tourism and coastal development and social-natural disasters
illegal building development and disasters
land use and land cover changes and disaster risk
wildland–urban interface areas and forest fires
medical, institutional and cultural aspects of pandemics
livelihood vulnerability and disasters
social-ecological systems’ vulnerability to hazards
disasters, population movements and demographic changes
disaster risk informed development planning
water resource management and drought
counter-disaster engineering works and public risk perception
risk education / awareness and ICTs
disaster risk mitigation and spatial planning
seismic prevention, preparedness, emergency and recovery plans combining structural and soft measures
enhancing disaster resilience and coping capacities
emergency warning technologies and disaster risk communication
disaster risk governance

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 8981 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling and Mapping Coastal Protection: Adapting an EU-Wide Model to National Specificities

by Mahbub Ul Hasan, Evangelia G. Drakou, Efthimios Karymbalis, Alexandra Tragaki, Christina Gallousi and Camino Liquete

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010260 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1824

Abstract

We explore the requirements for adapting coastal protection EU-wide indicators nationally. The aim of this research is threefold: (a) to map coastal protection at the national level; (b) to assess the congruence between the regional and national coastal protection estimates; and (c) to qualitatively assess the congruence of our findings with subnational estimates. We assessed coastal protection capacity, exposure, and demand and adapted them for the coastal zone of Greece. We quantitatively compared our findings with the results of the EU model. Through visual interpretation, we compared national estimates with those for the coastal zone of Peloponnese. Most islands have lower protection capacity than the mainland areas, while the southern part of the country’s coastal zone is the most exposed to natural hazards. Higher coastal protection demand was detected in the country’s largest cities (Athens, Thessaloniki). Areas of attention for management were small and medium islands and urban centres, as they mostly revealed high demand and exposure but the lowest natural capacity. The differences observed in the modelling outputs across scales are attributed to the differences in the demarcation process of the coastal zone, the additional variables considered, the terminology used, and the experts involved. Such national adaptations should be considered in order to build or update EU-wide indicators for coastal protection and beyond, towards a rule-based rather than a one-size-fits-all methodology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions)

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28 pages, 8351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Affecting Forest Fire and Flood Risk—Facts, Predictions, and Perceptions in Central and South Greece

by Dimitra Angra and Kalliopi Sapountzaki

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13395; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013395 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2827

Abstract

Global Climate change (CC) is featured by long-term changes in the mean values of climatic parameters (predominantly mean temperature) and in the profile of extreme weather events (e.g., increase in frequency, intensity, lengthening, and persistence). These climatic changes are supposed to have a deterioration impact on forest fire and flood disasters. Greece, an east Mediterranean country, is featured by a wide variety of micro-climates due to its unique geographical diversity, including hot and dry summers in the eastern part of the country (where a large amount of precipitation falls in the form of showers and thunderstorms) and wet winters in the western part. The combination of certain climatic zones with unfavorable land use and land cover changing patterns has resulted in several regions being prone to flooding and forest fires. The authors, based on relevant records, consider central and south Greece as flood and forest fire hotspots and attempt to: (a) present scientific estimations of local climate changes; (b) outline recent trends in the number of respective disasters and the amount of losses in these regions; (c) address recent changes in local climatic factors that might have influenced flood and forest fire hazard and risk in these regions; and (d) study the perceptions of the lay public and management authorities regarding the accountability of CC for flood and forest fire risk and hazard changes. The results show the variability of climate changes between neighboring areas, which directly affect the risk of forest fires and floods. Especially since the beginning of the 21st century, central Greece has been experiencing dramatic increases in both risks, while in south Greece the latter remain relatively stable. With regard to the perceptions of citizens and management authorities, the mental connection of local CC with forest fires and floods is still weak if not totally missing. Since knowledge and perceptions of the local “history” of forest fires and floods and the interconnections with CC by region is very important for the local communities to take appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures, this paper outlines a methodological path for similar studies to be conducted also in other regions of the Mediterranean basin and beyond. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions)

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20 pages, 4067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emergency Management against Natural Hazards in the Acropolis of Athens

by Miranda Dandoulaki, Ioannis Evripiotis, Maria Gaspari, Miltiadis Katsaros, Eleni Linaki and Konstantinos Serraos

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 12999; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142012999 - 11 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1437

Abstract

Using the case of the Acropolis of Athens, this paper aims to broaden current knowledge on risk and emergency management in archaeological complexes of high visitation. More specifically, it focuses on the protection of visitors and staff and intends to provide guidelines towards an emergency response plan for geodynamic and meteorological hazards in the Athens Acropolis archaeological site, along with a risk reduction and preparedness strategy. To this end, the paper first analyzes the main challenges arising from the everyday use of the archaeological site and the high visitor flows, mainly during summer. Secondly, it sets out the main parameters for drawing up an emergency evacuation plan for staff and visitors. Finally, it proposes preparedness guidelines, including training and information for all involved, together with a roadmap towards reducing existing risk and the implementation of necessary infrastructure interventions against residual risk. To finish, we conclude that challenges in emergency planning for the Acropolis of Athens do not arise solely from the unique conditions of the place and restrictions associated with the universal value of the monument but point towards reducing high residual risk and improving risk governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions)

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17 pages, 1027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Public Perceptions of Flood and Extreme Weather Early Warnings in Greece

by Michalis Diakakis, Michalis Skordoulis and Petros Kyriakopoulos

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10199; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610199 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1774

Abstract

A crucial component for the success of any early warning system for flood and extreme weather phenomena is understanding people’s perceptions and views of the warning processes and approaches. This paper aims to explore public perceptions on flood and extreme weather warnings as well as factors that influence these perceptions in Greece, a characteristic example of a country that has suffered several climate-related disasters in the recent past. To this end, a survey of 427 residents of the country was conducted between April 2021 and June 2021. The collected data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inductive statistics. The results showed that certain factors affect participants’ views on early warnings, including demographics, perceived knowledge on floods, flood risk perception, and perceived self-efficacy. The above factors present statistically significant correlations with the perceived reliability and effectiveness of warnings, as well the degree to which participants perceived the expected phenomena as a threat to their well-being or a signal to take preventive actions. These correlations are described in detail in the present study, together with certain exceptions that exist. The findings are a strong indication that public perception has the potential to impact early warning systems’ actual effectiveness, leading to certain practical implications for their improvement, particularly in multi-hazard, climate change-sensitive areas like the Mediterranean region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions)

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29 pages, 5800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Informal Settlement Resilience Upgrading-Approaches and Applications from a Cross-Country Perspective in Three Selected Metropolitan Regions of Southeast Asia

by Juan Du, Stefan Greiving and David Leonides T. Yap

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 8985; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14158985 - 22 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3625

Abstract

Managing climate change is synonymous to managing cities and their growth. To shoulder the challenge of climate change adaptation, informal settlement upgrading in the global south has amounted to the importance of being attuned with the growth of its city and region at large. Changing the paradigm of on-site upgrading to being community-driven and city-led with domestic funding unlocks potentials for community resilience building, especially in countries that strive for inclusive growth. This research looks into informal settlement development dynamics and its resilience stance in conjunction of the metropolitan growth in three Southeast Asian countries. Greater Manila Area, Bangkok Metropolitan Region and Hanoi Capital Region serve as the backdrop for this investigation. The research mainly addresses informal settlement upgrading roles, mechanism and approaches for resilience building in these three metropolises, meanwhile also unveiling their city-regional development needs. The methodological approach of this study is highly participatory, demonstrating a hybrid of multi-spectrum stakeholder workshops, online surveys (due to COVID), expert interviews, project interim reports and correspondence with the local expert team in the three countries, etc. The paper attempts at providing a cross-country appraisal of the central strategies of informal settlement upgrading, related institutional constellations and upgrading applications along with the three metropolises’ urban development. This attempt accentuates the pressing needs of mitigating multi-facet vulnerability of informal communities, who are the most adversely affected by climate change and rampant urbanization. Further, this research will also reveal the mindset change of how decision-makers and the public contemplate upgrading objectives, e.g., recasting secure tenure instruments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions)

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16 pages, 2665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Extreme Heat Wave of Summer 2021 in Athens (Greece): Cumulative Heat and Exposure to Heat Stress

by Dimitra Founda, George Katavoutas, Fragiskos Pierros and Nikolaos Mihalopoulos

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7766; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137766 - 25 Jun 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3337

Abstract

The Mediterranean has been identified as a ‘climate change hot spot’, already experiencing faster warming rates than the global average, along with an increased occurrence of heat waves (HWs), prolonged droughts, and forest fires. During summer 2021, the Mediterranean faced prolonged and severe HWs, triggering hundreds of wildfires across the region. Greece, in particular, was hit by one of the most intense HWs in its modern history, with national all-time record temperatures being observed from 28 July to 6 August 2021. The HW was associated with extreme wildfires in many parts of the country, with catastrophic environmental and societal consequences. The study accentuated the rarity and special characteristics of this HW (HW2021) through the analysis of the historical climate record of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) on a centennial time scale and comparison with previous HWs. The findings showed that HW2021 was ranked first in terms of persistence (with a total duration of 10 days) and highest observed nighttime temperatures, as well as ‘cumulative heat’, accounting for both the duration and intensity of the event. Exceptionally hot conditions during nighttime were intensified by the urban heat island effect in the city of Athens. Human exposure to heat-related stress during the event was further assessed by the use of bioclimatic indices such as the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). The study points to the interconnected climate risks in the area and especially to the increased exposure of urban populations to conditions of heat stress, due to the additive urban effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coping with Social-Natural Disasters: Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Contributions)

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