Disaster Prevention and Management

Murat Tas; Nilufer Tas; Nilay Cosgun

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022108

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine production of permanent housing in Turkey after the 1999 Marmara earthquake in terms of planning, design, and construction, and to identify problems that were faced. Earthquake survivors face many problems that affect the return to normalcy, including disruptions in temporary and permanent housing. To improve the earthquake survivors' social‐psychological status, it is imperative to shorten the transition from temporary to permanent housing. For the transition to be as brief as possible, planning, design, and construction of permanent housing need to be carried out seamlessly. Design/methodology/approach – A survey is carried out among those who took part in the permanent housing production in Kocaeli, where, after the Marmara earthquake in 1999, permanent housing practices were dense. Findings – As a result of the study, the most important problem in the production process is found to be the limited time allocated for design and construction, and the restrictions in construction materials and elements imposed by the administration. Serious losses in the disaster make the ground state the factor of greatest priority in choosing the settlement area. Research limitations/implications – Kocaeli is chosen as the study area because after the earthquake, nearly 40 per cent of the permanent housing was constructed in Kocaeli. The study involves a multi‐dimensional inquiry in the context of site selection, area design, housing design, construction, and supervision criteria. Originality/value – These data can serve as a resource for government/planners who develop policies for meeting post‐disaster reconstruction.

Helen M. Aucote; Anthony Miner; Peter Dahlhaus

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022117

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of the public's beliefs, attitudes and knowledge regarding rockfalls, and to see whether these variables could predict whether a person is likely to enter high‐risk rockfall areas. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was developed to measure beliefs (informed by the health belief model), knowledge, and previous behaviour in relation to rockfalls. Questions were also included to measure attitudes regarding rockfall caution signs. In total, 138 members of the general public completed the questionnaire. Findings – High‐risk behaviour was more likely if the person was male and if the person had the belief that sign‐posted high‐risk areas were not dangerous. Further, believing that the sign‐posted areas were not dangerous was more likely among people who held negative attitudes towards cautionary signs; specifically, these participants were more likely to doubt the validity of the warning signs. Research limitations/implications – The research was exploratory in nature. Further research should be conducted with a larger sample size and a more random selection of the general population. Ways of improving measurement of the variables are discussed. Practical implications – Efforts should be made to increase the public's perception of the validity of rockfall cautionary signs. Doing so may decrease injury and death as a result of rockfalls. Suggestions on ways to increase the validity of signage are made. Originality/value – It is presumed that this study is the first to attempt to gain an understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that may lead a person into engaging in high‐risk behaviour in relation to rockfalls.

Farokh Parsizadeh; Mohsen Ghafory‐Ashtiany

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022126

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide a brief summary on the comprehensive earthquake education program for increasing the public awareness and preparedness for earthquake through an integrated educational program using all types of media, especially in the schools and amongst children. Design/methodology/approach – The paper will provide an overview to the program on the disaster management education for the managers; general public; and especially children's earthquake safety education in schools. This priority could be better highlighted by looking at the wide coverage of schools as well as the young age structure of Iran. Findings – There is still a is a long way to go to achieve a fully prepared and seismically safe community and for this stronger cooperation and participation of the whole of society are necessary for enhancing public safety. Originality/value – Finally, the paper strongly believes that the Iran experience is successful, one that can be shared and from which one can learn.

Richard Afedzie; David A. McEntire

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022135

Purpose – This paper aims to reflect on Dennis Mileti's Disasters by Design ten years after its publication and to discuss the book's contributions and limitations. It seeks to uncover how Mileti's work relates to disaster and emergency management policy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines scholarly reviews of Mileti's work and explores the theoretical and practical implications of his important research. Findings – Disasters by Design recognizes the importance of environmental protection and poverty reduction in disaster policies. However, this work may not fully capture all the hazards, distinct types of vulnerability, phases and functions pertinent to emergency management. Research limitations/implications – This review both accepts and questions some of the assessments of Mileti's work. The perspective of this review may help shape the future of emergency management policy. Practical implications – The paper provides a comprehensive view of disasters and offers recommendations to improve the emergency management profession. Originality/value – The review is one of the few works that examines Mileti's work with a critical eye. It draws concern to his paradigm and suggests the need for continued refinement.

Helmi Zulhaidi Mohd Shafri; Izni Mohd Zahidi; Shamsul Abu Bakar

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022144

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to produce the landslide susceptibility map of Fraser's Hill and its surroundings in Pahang (Malaysia), utilizing remote sensing data and Geographic Information System (GIS) as a way to monitor sustainable highland development. Design/methodology/approach – Ancillary data are collected, processed, and constructed into a spatial database in a GIS platform to produce the satellite image. The factors chosen that influence landslide occurrence are land cover, vegetation index (NDVI), precipitation, and geology. Landslide‐hazardous areas are analyzed and mapped using the landslide‐occurrence factors through the heuristic approach Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings – It is demonstrated that the integration of remote sensing data and GIS database is of assistance in managing land‐use planning of sustainable development. The verification with the existing landslides record shows a noteworthy accuracy. Research limitations/implications – The list of data/maps reflects a considerable understanding of the basic cartographic information that is needed to effectively deal with the landslide problem. Practical implications – This approach indicates a potential long‐term application of remote sensing and GIS in managing sustainable highland development by monitoring the hazard‐susceptibility area. Originality/value – The value of the work is in its integration and utilization of remote sensing and GIS to provide sustainable development which can be developed to aid landslide warning systems.

K.N. Aroh; I.U. Ubong; C.L. Eze; I.M. Harry; J.C. Umo‐Otong; A.E. Gobo

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022153

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review oil spill incidents and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria between 1970 and 2006 and to examine the potential danger posed by such activities to public health. Design/methodology/approach – The approach adopted to achieve this objective is questionnaire administration on health impacts. Also secondary sources of information come from textbooks and journals. However, data from natural resources exploitation and hazards are collated and analyzed. Findings – It is evident that, out of the 1,000 reported oil spill incidents analyzed, some hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil are lost to the environment. Graphic pictures of typical oil spill through acts of vandalism in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria are analyzed and reviewed. The run‐off and sedimentation of this pollutant in fresh water systems severely degrade water quality, affect fish spawning and aquatic invertebrates' habitats, thus lowering food web productivity. Incidentally the spill‐over effect on humans who directly depend on fish and other aquatic food as an alternative protein supplement is quite inundating. The effects on humans include irritation, dermatitis, cancer, occurrence of abortion, organ failure and genetic disorder. Research limitations/implications – The limitations encountered in this research work include logistics problems, poor response and uncooperative attitude from respondents, transportation difficulties and restricted access to impacted sites by law enforcement agents and funding. Therefore subsequent researchers in this area should be equipped adequately with both the necessary protective gadgets and increased funding to meet challenges of this nature. Practical implications – The practical implication of the study is that oil spill incidents should be documented and reported early enough for prompt attention by the regulatory agencies in order to protect and enhance the quality of the environment. Originality/value – The value of the paper is that oil spill and pipeline vandalization devastate the environment, pollute dependable potable water sources such as streams and rivers and should be seen as a serious threat and negation to the attainment of the United Nations Millennium development goals.

Hj. Kamaruzaman Jusoff

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022162

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop and describe a pixel‐based airborne hyperspectral remote sensing system approach for searching for missing and lost RMAF aircraft, especially the NURI helicopter that crashed in Genting‐Sempah, Malaysia on Friday 13 July 2007, ten minutes after leaving the RMAF 10th Squadron based in Sg. Besi Camp, Selangor, Malaysia. It was reported found crashed with all six air force crew onboard killed, four days later on 17 July 2007 at 13.25 hours 5 km North‐west of Genting‐Sempah‐Karak‐Highway. Design/methodology/approach – The objective is achieved by exploring the use of a very high 1 m 2 spatial resolution (pixel‐based) airborne hyperspectral imaging system near real‐time data processing within two hours after landing. The UPM‐Aeroscan's AISA is a state‐of‐the‐art aircraft mounted commercial hyperspectral sensor operated for SAR development application by Forest Geospatial Information and Survey Lab (FGISL)/Aeroscan Precision (M) Sdn Bhd. in Block C3, UPM‐MTDC Tech Centre, Lebuh Silikon, Universiti Putra Malaysia. It is designed to provide a near real time, frequent, repetitive, accurate and reliable pushbroom instrument that acquires images in hundreds of registered, contiguous narrow spectral band passes such that for each element it is possible to derive a complete reflectance spectrum between the tree crowns, a damaged or slashed tree canopy and an anomaly especially metal like foreign object that penetrates into the tree crowns of a dense forest. Using an advanced Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) digital analysis and two archives spectral signatures of flying and “parked” NURI helicopters, in addition to ground supporting data from the civilian eye‐witnesses, spectral matching of images is applied to identify and map the missing helicopter. Findings – Despite the bad weather hampering the search and air surveillance‐to‐ground verifications, the NURI helicopter was reported found crashed with all six air force crew onboard killed, four days later based on the GPS suspected locations analysed and mapped from the UPM‐APSB's AISA airborne hyperspectral sensor data. The GPS locations given by the image were, however, not accurate for ground verifications since an old military topographical map were used. The GPS locations from the airborne image was transferred on to a Google Earth image in the Operations Room but, for ground verifications, a different set of reference topographical maps were used. However, the suspected search target sites were not that far away from the actual sighted RMAF NURI helicopter wreckage. Originality/value – The value and contribution of this research are the successful application of operating a pixel‐based airborne hyperspectral sensor to locate missing military helicopters in SAR. It is expected that the UPM‐APSB's AISA airborne hyperspectral sensor can be of further use in future SAR for missing civilian helicopters or commercial aircraft.

Hoang Vinh Hung; Rajib Shaw; Masami Kobayashi

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022171

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons for an unusual over‐development of flood‐prone areas outside the river dyke in Hanoi, while analysing the urban development and disaster management policies, and to suggest policy measures for regulating the rapid urbanization incorporating catastrophic flood risk planning. Design/methodology/approach – Urban development and disaster management policies were analyzed and key stakeholders were interviewed to discover the effectiveness of the policies and governance tasks. Findings – A discrepancy was identified between the goals of urban development and disaster management. The negative side of this discrepancy has been amplified by ineffective Construction Regulations and a lack of specificity with regard to Ordinances on Dyke. These factors, combined with poor coordination and lack of motivation within the city authorities in managing the Riverside Urban Areas (RUA), have contributed to the over‐development, which consists primarily of squatting and illegal construction. Research limitations/implications – Along with a consideration of community perception of catastrophic flood risk in the RUA, which has been examined, the paper further analyses the effectiveness of related policies for catastrophic risk reduction in the RUA. Practical implications – The paper identifies the following effective measures: build and share a knowledge base concerning catastrophic flood risk and sustainable ways of coping with the flood; be responsible and develop a commitment to manage flood‐prone areas; and develop better coordination between urban development and flood management. Originality/value – The paper suggests new policy standards for managing the RUA development and reducing flood risks.

Ashish Kumar Singh

2010 Disaster Prevention and Management

doi: 10.1108/09653561011022180

Purpose – This paper aims to promote sustainable development through disaster management. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on extensive field observations and intensive review of literature from secondary sources. Findings – In recent times landslides have increased both in frequency and intensity and have assumed catastrophic and disastrous proportions, causing extensive damage to life and property and posing great problems and serious challenges to man and his development process. This increase has been triggered by a combination of several attributes (geological, morphometric, climatic and anthropogenetic) that directly or indirectly cause slope instability, most of which (if not all) are either man‐made or man‐accelerated. Thus, most of the disasters are natural events aggravated by undue human intervention. Man, through his intervention, has accelerated this natural process and his encroachment on the relatively unsafe areas has turned them into disasters. The effect of man on natural processes can be judged from the fact that the frequency of natural disasters/hazards has recorded more than a fivefold increase just in the last two decades, despite all the hue and cry that has been going on all round the world. The economic losses on account of such happenings have shot up by over 3.5 times, and the rise in total insured losses is about six times and, with the present trends (particularly of ignorance, carelessness, lack of will and finances, greed, increasing population and also human demands) and situations, it can safely be predicted that the worst is still to come. Practical implications – Landslides are a natural phenomenon and every year hundreds of major and minor landslides occur in the hills, though only a few major ones are reported by the print and electronic media, and still fewer are studied and/or analyzed in some detail. The present paper presents a valuable insight into various aspects of landslide management to spread awareness, to educate and sensitize people towards better and effective landslide hazard mitigation and thereby ensure people's participation in disaster management. It also aims to initiate and encourage research in the field of landslide management. Originality/value – The paper hopes to minimize losses due to landslides through better knowledge and enhanced levels of understanding of the phenomenon and its management.