23921_cover 18.04.2001 17:36 Uhr Seite 1

DRMWorld Institute for Disaster Risk Managementc/o ETH BoardHäldeliweg 15ETH CenterCH-8092 ZurichSwitzerland

e-mail: DRM@ethrat.chtelephone: +41 1 632 20 02fax: +41 1 632 11 90

www.widrm.net

The objective of DRM

Growing need to improve disaster prevention

DRM offers applied research and knowledge dissemination

The Swiss research network

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

DRM is establishing a global network

The core competency of DRM

The multidisciplinary approach

Projects follow a comprehensive strategy

DRM: an open organization

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For further information please contact

DRMWorld Institute for Disaster Risk Management

206 North Washington StreetSuite 400Alexandria, VA 22314USA

e-mail: info@widrm.nettelephone: 703 518 8080fax: 703 518 8085

Co-Directors:

Dr Jürg Hammer, 703 535 3456jhammer@widrm.net

Dr Frederik Krimgold, 703 535 3444 fkrimgold@widrm.net

23921_cover 18.04.2001 17:36 Uhr Seite 3

DRM is a network for applied research, implemen-tation, and dissemination in the field of disaster riskmanagement. It is an initiative of the Board of theSwiss Federal Institutes of Technology and VirginiaPolytechnic Institute and State University in con-junction with the ProVention Consortium of theWorld Bank.

Every managing executive in the public or privatesector has a duty to ensure appropriate risk man-agement in his area of responsibility. Hazardousevents of natural or technological origin can hap-pen anywhere and at any time. It's never tooearly to integrate risk management intocorporate governance - but it may oftenbe too late.

DRM marshals resources for collabora-tive activities in applied research, re-search applications, and professionalpractice to reduce disaster risks in vul-nerable communities throughout theworld.

The objective of DRM is to enable peopleto anticipate disasters and take action to pro-tect life and property, and to ensure sustainablesocial and economic development. Its activitiesinclude supporting the pursuit of an optimal bal-ance between disaster risk reduction, risk-sharingmechanisms, and management of residual risks inthe face of limited resources.

DRM achieves its aims by filling knowledge gaps,providing a clearing-house for information, building

know-how, mobilizing resources, and forgingpartnerships with governments, private en-

terprises, international agencies, andNGOs.

DRM works with a wide range ofinternational organizations andinstitutions whose common ob-jective is disaster risk reductionfor public safety and sustainabledevelopment.

The objective of DRM 3

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 1

Even when reliable and cost-effective technologiesare available for early warning, disaster preventionand mitigation, many governments, especially indeveloping countries, lack an adequate institutionalframework in which to apply them.

Natural and technological disasters often causesubstantial damage to life and property, infrastruc-tures, cultural heritage, and the ecological basis oflife. Indirect losses in terms of business interrup-tion, loss of production, and loss of services oftenexceed losses due to direct physical damage. Deve-loping countries are affected more severely, oftensuffering a dramatic decline in GNP.

Increased losses from disastersDisaster losses have increased dramatically overthe past two decades. This has resulted fromchanges in the pattern of hazard occurrence andfrom increased vulnerability of a growing popula-tion. With greater pressure to exploit marginal landsand accommodate more people in urban areas, thepotential for future disasters continues to expand.To develop effective and efficient tools and strate-gies for disaster risk assessment and risk reduc-tion, it is necessary to understand the factors con-tributing to those risks. Natural hazard events oftenprecipitate subsequent technological failures, anddependency on tightly coupled technological sys-tems can increase the potential for catastrophicfailure and disaster. Natural and technological dis-asters also threaten the ecological basis of lifethrough long-term environmental damage.

Decline in financial support“Aid continues to fall. From US$ 55.4 billion in1996, global humanitarian assistance plunged toUS$ 48.3 billion in 1997. Aid now amounts to lit-tle more than 0.2% of donor GNP – the lowest ever.The Organization for Economic Cooperation and De-velopment’s (OECD) Development Assistance Com-mittee (DAC) has described the decline as discour-aging and frustrating. DAC donors allocate 1.4% ofgovernment spending to aid. In 1992 when over-seas development assistance (ODA) peaked, theaverage spent on aid was more than 2% of gov-ernment budgets, and over the period 1975 to1985, the figure remained steady at an average of1.8%.” (International Federation of Red Cross and RedCrescent Societies: World Disasters Report 1999.)

The integration of knowledge, policy and finance isnecessary to meet the challenge of natural and tech-nological hazards.DRM brings together key institutions of the govern-mental sector, the private sector, civil society, and theresearch community to reduce global disaster risks.

Growing need to improve disaster prevention4 Growing need to improve disaster prevention 5

Every DRM project will involve organizations andinstitutions of the disaster-prone countries in orderto strengthen local capabilities.

DRM will cooperate extensively with governmentagencies such as the Swiss Agency for Develop-ment and Cooperation (DEZA) and the public agen-cies of disaster-prone countries. DRM will also workactively with non-governmental organizations andthe private sector. From the private sector, SwissRe has undertaken to support the DRM initiative.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 2

Even when reliable and cost-effective technologiesare available for early warning, disaster preventionand mitigation, many governments, especially indeveloping countries, lack an adequate institutionalframework in which to apply them.

Natural and technological disasters often causesubstantial damage to life and property, infrastruc-tures, cultural heritage, and the ecological basis oflife. Indirect losses in terms of business interrup-tion, loss of production, and loss of services oftenexceed losses due to direct physical damage. Deve-loping countries are affected more severely, oftensuffering a dramatic decline in GNP.

Increased losses from disastersDisaster losses have increased dramatically overthe past two decades. This has resulted fromchanges in the pattern of hazard occurrence andfrom increased vulnerability of a growing popula-tion. With greater pressure to exploit marginal landsand accommodate more people in urban areas, thepotential for future disasters continues to expand.To develop effective and efficient tools and strate-gies for disaster risk assessment and risk reduc-tion, it is necessary to understand the factors con-tributing to those risks. Natural hazard events oftenprecipitate subsequent technological failures, anddependency on tightly coupled technological sys-tems can increase the potential for catastrophicfailure and disaster. Natural and technological dis-asters also threaten the ecological basis of lifethrough long-term environmental damage.

Decline in financial support“Aid continues to fall. From US$ 55.4 billion in1996, global humanitarian assistance plunged toUS$ 48.3 billion in 1997. Aid now amounts to lit-tle more than 0.2% of donor GNP – the lowest ever.The Organization for Economic Cooperation and De-velopment’s (OECD) Development Assistance Com-mittee (DAC) has described the decline as discour-aging and frustrating. DAC donors allocate 1.4% ofgovernment spending to aid. In 1992 when over-seas development assistance (ODA) peaked, theaverage spent on aid was more than 2% of gov-ernment budgets, and over the period 1975 to1985, the figure remained steady at an average of1.8%.” (International Federation of Red Cross and RedCrescent Societies: World Disasters Report 1999.)

The integration of knowledge, policy and finance isnecessary to meet the challenge of natural and tech-nological hazards.DRM brings together key institutions of the govern-mental sector, the private sector, civil society, and theresearch community to reduce global disaster risks.

Growing need to improve disaster prevention4 Growing need to improve disaster prevention 5

Every DRM project will involve organizations andinstitutions of the disaster-prone countries in orderto strengthen local capabilities.

DRM will cooperate extensively with governmentagencies such as the Swiss Agency for Develop-ment and Cooperation (DEZA) and the public agen-cies of disaster-prone countries. DRM will also workactively with non-governmental organizations andthe private sector. From the private sector, SwissRe has undertaken to support the DRM initiative.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 2

DRM offers applied research and knowledge dissemination 7DRM offers applied research and knowledge dissemination6

DRM provides interdisciplinary and intersectoralsupport for prevention strategies, implementationtechniques, education, and know-how disseminationin relation to man-made technological risks and tonatural disasters.

Required: implementation techniquesA great deal of technical know-how is available. Themain need is for integration of sectoral results andmodeling into multidisciplinary systems and imple-mentation-oriented approaches and tools. The vastbody of knowledge distributed around the world(dissemination is increasingly being performed byinstitutes in developing countries) needs to begathered together in an open network.

DecentralizationAlthough local capabilities in developing countrieshave substantially increased within recent years, agreat deal of knowledge and experience on disas-ter risk reduction has been accumulated in thedeveloped countries. The fact that it has not beenwidely applied to developing countries indicates asevere problem in the transfer and application ofscience and technology. The disaster risk reductionprogram by DRM will develop regional relations andstrategies for disaster prevention in a larger con-text. DRM will channel support for building mitiga-tion research and implementation capacity in localinstitutions in disaster-prone developing countries.

Int

erdi

scip

linar

ym

odel

ing

and

solu

tions

Kn

owle

dge

and

tech

nolo

gy

exch

an

ge

Policy and Social

Science

NaturalScience and

Engineering

Industrialized countries

TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Developingcountries

NATURAL HAZARDS

DRM provides

• Development of tools for rapid risk assessment

• Brokering of resources for risk management

• Expert consultation on risk-related problems

• Quality control in project management

• Risk evaluation for large investments

• Guidance on comprehensive risk managementfor the private sector, governments and com-munity groups

The devastating consequences of recent disasters arean indicator of the need to improve the developmentand implementation of technologies and methodsfor disaster prevention and preparedness.

Disaster Risk Management and Development PlanningThe DRM will take an active role in the ProVentionConsortium on Natural and Technological Catastro-phes of the Disaster Management Facility of theWorld Bank. DRM will focus resources on the pri-ority areas of the Consortium:

• poverty and vulnerability

• environmental services to reduce disasters

• expansion of access to mechanisms for risk trans-fer and financing

DRM will strive to advance the knowledge base anddevelop tools for the effective application of disas-ter risk management in development planning andinvestment.

EducationJust as in other environmental programs, the costrecovery and benefits of disaster risk reduction arenot immediately obvious, nor are links to sustain-ability. A significant effort needs to be made toaddress education and training needs. DRM willcontribute to a joint training network.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 4

DRM offers applied research and knowledge dissemination 7DRM offers applied research and knowledge dissemination6

DRM provides interdisciplinary and intersectoralsupport for prevention strategies, implementationtechniques, education, and know-how disseminationin relation to man-made technological risks and tonatural disasters.

Required: implementation techniquesA great deal of technical know-how is available. Themain need is for integration of sectoral results andmodeling into multidisciplinary systems and imple-mentation-oriented approaches and tools. The vastbody of knowledge distributed around the world(dissemination is increasingly being performed byinstitutes in developing countries) needs to begathered together in an open network.

DecentralizationAlthough local capabilities in developing countrieshave substantially increased within recent years, agreat deal of knowledge and experience on disas-ter risk reduction has been accumulated in thedeveloped countries. The fact that it has not beenwidely applied to developing countries indicates asevere problem in the transfer and application ofscience and technology. The disaster risk reductionprogram by DRM will develop regional relations andstrategies for disaster prevention in a larger con-text. DRM will channel support for building mitiga-tion research and implementation capacity in localinstitutions in disaster-prone developing countries.

Int

erdi

scip

linar

ym

odel

ing

and

solu

tions

Kn

owle

dge

and

tech

nolo

gy

exch

an

ge

Policy and Social

Science

NaturalScience and

Engineering

Industrialized countries

TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Developingcountries

NATURAL HAZARDS

DRM provides

• Development of tools for rapid risk assessment

• Brokering of resources for risk management

• Expert consultation on risk-related problems

• Quality control in project management

• Risk evaluation for large investments

• Guidance on comprehensive risk managementfor the private sector, governments and com-munity groups

The devastating consequences of recent disasters arean indicator of the need to improve the developmentand implementation of technologies and methodsfor disaster prevention and preparedness.

Disaster Risk Management and Development PlanningThe DRM will take an active role in the ProVentionConsortium on Natural and Technological Catastro-phes of the Disaster Management Facility of theWorld Bank. DRM will focus resources on the pri-ority areas of the Consortium:

• poverty and vulnerability

• environmental services to reduce disasters

• expansion of access to mechanisms for risk trans-fer and financing

DRM will strive to advance the knowledge base anddevelop tools for the effective application of disas-ter risk management in development planning andinvestment.

EducationJust as in other environmental programs, the costrecovery and benefits of disaster risk reduction arenot immediately obvious, nor are links to sustain-ability. A significant effort needs to be made toaddress education and training needs. DRM willcontribute to a joint training network.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 4

Climate change, modeling of variability and predict-ability of climate, satellite monitoring• Laboratory for Atmospheric Physics, ETH Zurich• Institute of Geography, University of Berne• Institute of Geography, University of Fribourg

Technical risksModeling and software development for assess-ment, evaluation, management and representationof technical risks for process industries and stor-

age, power generation technologies (includingnuclear safety), transportation of hazardous materi-als, waste management, complex infrastructure sys-tems; integration of the GIS (Geographical Infor-mation Systems) and GPS (Geographical PositioningSystems) technologies into Integrated DecisionSupport Systems (IDSS); life cycle analysis (LCA),sustainability, cost optimization, legal/regulations-related issues; research, training, university educa-tion, consulting engineering and design, security,financial and socio-economic risk management-related issues.• KOVERS (Competence Center for Technical Risks

ETH) including Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Zurich and EAWAG Dübendorf

• Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich• Institute for Economic Research, ETH Zurich• Risk Lab, ETH Zurich• Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche

Research, SLF, Davos• University of Applied Sciences, Rapperswil

Seismic behavior, earthquake-resistant construc-tion, retrofitting, building codes (buildings, bridges,dams)• Institute of Structural Engineering, Earthquake

Engineering and Structural Dynamics, ETH Zurich• Institute for Reinforced and Prestressed Con-

crete, ETH Lausanne• Institute of Geophysics, Swiss Earthquake Cen-

ter, ETH Zurich• Centre d’Etude des Risques Géologiques (CERG-

UNIGE), University of Geneva

Process studies for rockfall, glaciers and per-mafrost, snow, avalanches, slope movements,hydrology of unstable terrain, debris flow, floods,wind, hail, geological hazard, drought • Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, ETH Zurich• Laboratory of Hydraulics and Glaciology, ETH

Zurich• Institute of Rocks, Foundation and Soil Mecha-

nics, ETH Lausanne• Laboratory of Geology, ETH Lausanne

• Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow andLandscape Research, WSL Birmensdorf

• Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and AvalancheResearch, SLF, Davos

• Land and Water Use Laboratory, ETH Lausanne• Institute of Geography, ETH Zurich• Institute of Hydraulics and Energy, Hydraulic Con-

structions, ETH Lausanne• Institute of Geology, University of Fribourg• Centre d’Etude des Risques Géologiques (CERG-

UNIGE), University of Geneva• University of Applied Sciences, Rapperswil

Bush and forest fires, ecological impact studies,sustainability, soil erosion, risk analysis and man-agement, forest hydrology, climate and vegetation,forest as rockfall and avalanche protection • Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and

Landscape Research, WSL Birmensdorf• Department of Forest and Wood Science, ETH

Zurich

Socio-economic studies, public perception, politicalstrategies, risk management• Institute of Economic Research, University of

Lugano• Institute for Economic Research, ETH Zurich

The Swiss research network 9The Swiss research network8

Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH)The six institutions of the ETH domain include tworesearch centers operating in the fields of naturaland man-made risk management: CENAT andKOVERS. Both centers rely in addition on Swissuniversities and institutes of applied science.CENAT will coordinate contacts between the Swissresearch community and DRM.

Natural risks: CENAT The Natural Hazards Competence Center CENAT wasfounded by the ETH Board in 1996 to bring togeth-er existing potentials in natural science, engineer-ing science and socio-economic science within theETH domain and the Swiss universities and insti-tutes of applied science. It is also associated withthe Pôle Grenobloise d’Etudes et de Recherchepour la Prévention des Risques Naturels. Thepooled resources of these institutes cover a widefield of hazard and risk management:

Hazard assessment, physical process studies, eventtriggering, hazard mapping, numerical simulation,event probability studies, GIS (Geographic Infor-mation Systems) techniques• Institute of Cartography, ETH Zurich• Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche

Research, SLF, Davos• Institute of Geography, University of Berne

Board of the Swiss FederalInstitutes of Technology

(ETH Board)

ETHZ Swiss Federal Instituteof Technology Zurich

7400 Employees12 000 Students

EPFL Swiss FederalInstitute of TechnologyLausanne

2900 Employees5000 Students

PSI Paul Scherrer InstituteNatural Scienceand Technology

1400 Employees

WSL Swiss Federal Institutefor Forest, Snow andLandscape Research

400 Employees

EMPA Swiss FederalLaboratories for Materials

800 Employees

KOVERSTechnical

Risks

CENATNatural Risks

EAWAG Swiss Federal Inst.for Environmental Science

and Technology 400 Employees

The Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology and the Swiss universities and institutes of applied science form a well established network. Theseresearch centers have outstanding expertise andextensive international experience.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 6

Climate change, modeling of variability and predict-ability of climate, satellite monitoring• Laboratory for Atmospheric Physics, ETH Zurich• Institute of Geography, University of Berne• Institute of Geography, University of Fribourg

Technical risksModeling and software development for assess-ment, evaluation, management and representationof technical risks for process industries and stor-

age, power generation technologies (includingnuclear safety), transportation of hazardous materi-als, waste management, complex infrastructure sys-tems; integration of the GIS (Geographical Infor-mation Systems) and GPS (Geographical PositioningSystems) technologies into Integrated DecisionSupport Systems (IDSS); life cycle analysis (LCA),sustainability, cost optimization, legal/regulations-related issues; research, training, university educa-tion, consulting engineering and design, security,financial and socio-economic risk management-related issues.• KOVERS (Competence Center for Technical Risks

ETH) including Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Zurich and EAWAG Dübendorf

• Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich• Institute for Economic Research, ETH Zurich• Risk Lab, ETH Zurich• Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche

Research, SLF, Davos• University of Applied Sciences, Rapperswil

Seismic behavior, earthquake-resistant construc-tion, retrofitting, building codes (buildings, bridges,dams)• Institute of Structural Engineering, Earthquake

Engineering and Structural Dynamics, ETH Zurich• Institute for Reinforced and Prestressed Con-

crete, ETH Lausanne• Institute of Geophysics, Swiss Earthquake Cen-

ter, ETH Zurich• Centre d’Etude des Risques Géologiques (CERG-

UNIGE), University of Geneva

Process studies for rockfall, glaciers and per-mafrost, snow, avalanches, slope movements,hydrology of unstable terrain, debris flow, floods,wind, hail, geological hazard, drought • Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, ETH Zurich• Laboratory of Hydraulics and Glaciology, ETH

Zurich• Institute of Rocks, Foundation and Soil Mecha-

nics, ETH Lausanne• Laboratory of Geology, ETH Lausanne

• Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow andLandscape Research, WSL Birmensdorf

• Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and AvalancheResearch, SLF, Davos

• Land and Water Use Laboratory, ETH Lausanne• Institute of Geography, ETH Zurich• Institute of Hydraulics and Energy, Hydraulic Con-

structions, ETH Lausanne• Institute of Geology, University of Fribourg• Centre d’Etude des Risques Géologiques (CERG-

UNIGE), University of Geneva• University of Applied Sciences, Rapperswil

Bush and forest fires, ecological impact studies,sustainability, soil erosion, risk analysis and man-agement, forest hydrology, climate and vegetation,forest as rockfall and avalanche protection • Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and

Landscape Research, WSL Birmensdorf• Department of Forest and Wood Science, ETH

Zurich

Socio-economic studies, public perception, politicalstrategies, risk management• Institute of Economic Research, University of

Lugano• Institute for Economic Research, ETH Zurich

The Swiss research network 9The Swiss research network8

Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH)The six institutions of the ETH domain include tworesearch centers operating in the fields of naturaland man-made risk management: CENAT andKOVERS. Both centers rely in addition on Swissuniversities and institutes of applied science.CENAT will coordinate contacts between the Swissresearch community and DRM.

Natural risks: CENAT The Natural Hazards Competence Center CENAT wasfounded by the ETH Board in 1996 to bring togeth-er existing potentials in natural science, engineer-ing science and socio-economic science within theETH domain and the Swiss universities and insti-tutes of applied science. It is also associated withthe Pôle Grenobloise d’Etudes et de Recherchepour la Prévention des Risques Naturels. Thepooled resources of these institutes cover a widefield of hazard and risk management:

Hazard assessment, physical process studies, eventtriggering, hazard mapping, numerical simulation,event probability studies, GIS (Geographic Infor-mation Systems) techniques• Institute of Cartography, ETH Zurich• Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche

Research, SLF, Davos• Institute of Geography, University of Berne

Board of the Swiss FederalInstitutes of Technology

(ETH Board)

ETHZ Swiss Federal Instituteof Technology Zurich

7400 Employees12 000 Students

EPFL Swiss FederalInstitute of TechnologyLausanne

2900 Employees5000 Students

PSI Paul Scherrer InstituteNatural Scienceand Technology

1400 Employees

WSL Swiss Federal Institutefor Forest, Snow andLandscape Research

400 Employees

EMPA Swiss FederalLaboratories for Materials

800 Employees

KOVERSTechnical

Risks

CENATNatural Risks

EAWAG Swiss Federal Inst.for Environmental Science

and Technology 400 Employees

The Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology and the Swiss universities and institutes of applied science form a well established network. Theseresearch centers have outstanding expertise andextensive international experience.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)10

Virginia Tech has broad, multidisciplinary capabilityand experience in natural and technological disas-ter management. In the geological sciences theUniversity supports the Virginia Tech SeismologicalObservatory and the Center for Water ResourcesResearch. In engineering the university supports theCenter for Environmental and Hazardous MaterialsStudies, and Virginia Tech is the lead institution forthe Wind Hazard Mitigation Consortium, an organi-zation of 10 U.S. research universities active in windengineering research. Issues of critical infrastructureprotection are addressed in the work of the VirginiaTech Center for Transportation Research, the Centerfor Power Engineering and the Center for WirelessTelecommunications. Associated with the Universityis the Waste Policy Institute which assists the De-partment of Energy in the management of hazar-dous waste materials. Scientific and technical re-search findings are translated into meaningful po-licy consideration through the work of the Centerfor Public Administration and Policy and the Centerfor Housing Research. Research applications, train-ing and outreach related to international develop-ment are supported and coordinated at the Universityby the Office of International Research and Deve-lopment. The Virginia Cooperative Extension Servicehas also played an active role in disaster damageassessment and public information for disaster mit-igation, preparedness and response in Virginia.

Virginia Tech Seismological ObservatoryThe Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory main-tains a seismic instrumentation array in Virginia andis a primary center for the study of the seismicityof the southeastern United States. The Observatoryhas prepared seismic risk maps for the Common-wealth and the region as well as detailed studies ofhistorical seismicity.

The Center for Water ResourcesThe Center for Water Resources has evaluated theflood hazard throughout the Commonwealth and hasbeen instrumental in the evaluation of mitigationtechniques and risk reduction measures associatedwith flood insurance.

The Center for Environmental and Hazardous MaterialsStudiesThe Center for Environmental and Hazadardous Ma-terials Studies has taken a leading role in environ-mental hazard assessment and environmental reme-diation. The Center has also contributed to environ-mental hazard awareness and risk communication.

Center for Energy and the Global Environment (CEAGE)CEAGE combines the resources of faculty membersand students from six departments at Virginia Techto address global problems of energy and sustain-able developement. Research activities are current-ly focused on global warming resulting from theuse of fossil fuels for power generation and trans-portation. Consequences of climate change andchanging patterns of risk are also considered bythe center.

The Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Research The Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Researchis leading cutting edge research in highway trans-portation safety related to the "Smart Road" re-search facility. The Center has pioneered the devel-opment of post-disaster traffic management andcontrol techniques.

International Institute for Critical National InfrastructuresThe International Institute for Critical NationalInfrastructures is a multi-national, multi-universityconsortium to bring about integrated developmentof the three critical infrastructures: electric powernetworks, communications networks and computernetworks which are essential for the functioning ofmodern societies. The institute has initiatedresearch on assessment, control and restoration ofthe electric power grid following catastrophic dis-turbances and on innovative technologies fordefense against catastrophic failures of complexinteractive power networks. The founding membersof the Institute are Virginia Tech, Institut NationalPolytechnique de Grenoble, Hong Kong University,Hong Kong Polytechnic and EnerSearch, Sweden.

The Center for Wireless TelecommunicationsThe Center for Wireless Telecommunications com-bines the development of new telecommunicationstechnology with the analysis of regulatory and business consequences. The Center is currentlymanaging the development of LMDS based systemsin Southwestern Virginia and the development ofDisaster Management Information Systems for di-saster response and mitigation.

Virginia Tech is the leading science and technologyinstitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Theuniversity links basic research in the natural andsocial sciences and engineering to applications in theservice of public safety and social protection.

As a land grant university Virginia Tech has exten-sive experience in technology transfer related to localand regional economic and social development.

The Center for Public Administration and PolicyFaculty members of the Center for Public Admini-stration and Policy have led key policy review forthe Federal Emergency Management Agency andcarried out research on the structure of organi-zations tasked with emergency response responsi-bilities.

The Waste Policy InstituteThe Waste Policy Institute is associated with theUniversity in the Virginia Tech Corporate ResearchCenter. The Institute plays a major role in environ-mental remediation and public safety related to thenuclear energy and weapons industries.

Financial Risk Management Center (FRMC) FRMC is a center of the Department of Finance ofthe Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech.The center provides a source of timely scholarlyresearch and education on major issues related tothe global market for derivatives, including futures,forwards, swaps and options. In both research andeducation the center’s activities bring togetherleaders from academe, government and business toaddress key issues and problems associated withfinancial risk. Securetization of risk is a topic ofcritical importance to disaster risk management.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) 11

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)10

Virginia Tech has broad, multidisciplinary capabilityand experience in natural and technological disas-ter management. In the geological sciences theUniversity supports the Virginia Tech SeismologicalObservatory and the Center for Water ResourcesResearch. In engineering the university supports theCenter for Environmental and Hazardous MaterialsStudies, and Virginia Tech is the lead institution forthe Wind Hazard Mitigation Consortium, an organi-zation of 10 U.S. research universities active in windengineering research. Issues of critical infrastructureprotection are addressed in the work of the VirginiaTech Center for Transportation Research, the Centerfor Power Engineering and the Center for WirelessTelecommunications. Associated with the Universityis the Waste Policy Institute which assists the De-partment of Energy in the management of hazar-dous waste materials. Scientific and technical re-search findings are translated into meaningful po-licy consideration through the work of the Centerfor Public Administration and Policy and the Centerfor Housing Research. Research applications, train-ing and outreach related to international develop-ment are supported and coordinated at the Universityby the Office of International Research and Deve-lopment. The Virginia Cooperative Extension Servicehas also played an active role in disaster damageassessment and public information for disaster mit-igation, preparedness and response in Virginia.

Virginia Tech Seismological ObservatoryThe Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory main-tains a seismic instrumentation array in Virginia andis a primary center for the study of the seismicityof the southeastern United States. The Observatoryhas prepared seismic risk maps for the Common-wealth and the region as well as detailed studies ofhistorical seismicity.

The Center for Water ResourcesThe Center for Water Resources has evaluated theflood hazard throughout the Commonwealth and hasbeen instrumental in the evaluation of mitigationtechniques and risk reduction measures associatedwith flood insurance.

The Center for Environmental and Hazardous MaterialsStudiesThe Center for Environmental and Hazadardous Ma-terials Studies has taken a leading role in environ-mental hazard assessment and environmental reme-diation. The Center has also contributed to environ-mental hazard awareness and risk communication.

Center for Energy and the Global Environment (CEAGE)CEAGE combines the resources of faculty membersand students from six departments at Virginia Techto address global problems of energy and sustain-able developement. Research activities are current-ly focused on global warming resulting from theuse of fossil fuels for power generation and trans-portation. Consequences of climate change andchanging patterns of risk are also considered bythe center.

The Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Research The Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Researchis leading cutting edge research in highway trans-portation safety related to the "Smart Road" re-search facility. The Center has pioneered the devel-opment of post-disaster traffic management andcontrol techniques.

International Institute for Critical National InfrastructuresThe International Institute for Critical NationalInfrastructures is a multi-national, multi-universityconsortium to bring about integrated developmentof the three critical infrastructures: electric powernetworks, communications networks and computernetworks which are essential for the functioning ofmodern societies. The institute has initiatedresearch on assessment, control and restoration ofthe electric power grid following catastrophic dis-turbances and on innovative technologies fordefense against catastrophic failures of complexinteractive power networks. The founding membersof the Institute are Virginia Tech, Institut NationalPolytechnique de Grenoble, Hong Kong University,Hong Kong Polytechnic and EnerSearch, Sweden.

The Center for Wireless TelecommunicationsThe Center for Wireless Telecommunications com-bines the development of new telecommunicationstechnology with the analysis of regulatory and business consequences. The Center is currentlymanaging the development of LMDS based systemsin Southwestern Virginia and the development ofDisaster Management Information Systems for di-saster response and mitigation.

Virginia Tech is the leading science and technologyinstitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Theuniversity links basic research in the natural andsocial sciences and engineering to applications in theservice of public safety and social protection.

As a land grant university Virginia Tech has exten-sive experience in technology transfer related to localand regional economic and social development.

The Center for Public Administration and PolicyFaculty members of the Center for Public Admini-stration and Policy have led key policy review forthe Federal Emergency Management Agency andcarried out research on the structure of organi-zations tasked with emergency response responsi-bilities.

The Waste Policy InstituteThe Waste Policy Institute is associated with theUniversity in the Virginia Tech Corporate ResearchCenter. The Institute plays a major role in environ-mental remediation and public safety related to thenuclear energy and weapons industries.

Financial Risk Management Center (FRMC) FRMC is a center of the Department of Finance ofthe Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech.The center provides a source of timely scholarlyresearch and education on major issues related tothe global market for derivatives, including futures,forwards, swaps and options. In both research andeducation the center’s activities bring togetherleaders from academe, government and business toaddress key issues and problems associated withfinancial risk. Securetization of risk is a topic ofcritical importance to disaster risk management.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) 11

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:16 Uhr Seite 8

DRM is establishing a global network 13DRM is establishing a global network12

University of Texas at Austin (USA)The Department of Civil Engineering has stronggraduate programs in both Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering. A number of centers and laboratoriesprovide the facilities and staff to support researchactivities in disaster risk management related disci-plines, like the Center for Research in WaterResources (CRWR), Center for Transportation Re-search (CTR), Construction Industry Institute (CII),Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory (FSEL),Geotechnical Engineering Center (GEC), Center forEnergy and Environmental Resources (CEER),Construction Materials Research Group (CMRG),Environmental Solutions Program (ESP), Inter-national Center for Aggregates Research (ICAR).

London School of Economics (UK)Centre for the Analysis of Risk and Regulation. TheLSE has established the Centre for the Analysis ofRisk and Regulation in recognition of the need forbasic, interdisciplinary research in the area of riskmanagement and risk regulation. This need isreflected in a growing academic interest from anumber of disciplines regarding the analysis of pro-cesses underlying risk production, perception, man-agement and regulation. It is also both a responseto shifting corporate and governmental responsibil-ities and to the evolution of professional practicein risk management and regulation.

A significant part of the Centre’s activities will beaimed at facilitating knowledge exchange betweendifferent organizations, fostering cross-fertilizationregarding professional risk management and regu-latory practices and creating an independent com-munity of knowledge in this field that intersectseconomic sectors, professional backgrounds anddisciplinary boundaries.

Max Planck Institute (Germany)The Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC) locatedat Freiburg University monitors, forecasts and ar-chives information on vegetation fires (forest fires,land-use fires, smoke pollution) at global level. Theinformation thus generated supports decision-mak-ers at national and international levels in evaluat-ing fire situations or precursors of fire which poten-tially endanger humans or may negatively affect theenvironment.

George Washington University (USA)Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk ManagementThe Institute organizes interdisciplinary research inengineering, social and behavioral science, publichealth and emergency medicine. The Institute alsoprovides graduate level instruction at the mastersand doctoral levels. George Washington Universitycollaborates with Virginia Tech in the Joint Centerfor Disaster and Risk Management.

Bogazici University (Turkey)Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake ResearchInstitute. The Earthquake Research Institute andthe School of Engineering are actively involved in arange of hazard and vulnerability assessment activ-ities throughout Turkey. Urban loss estimation me-thodologies have been developed and applied. Current work is focused on the reconstruction fol-lowing the August 1999 Kocaeli earthquake and riskreduction measures for the Istanbul region.

University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)Center for Research and Transfer of AppropriateTechnology (CITTA). The Center has taken a leadingrole in the development of architectural and urbanplanning techniques for the reduction of disasterrisk. Recent work in conjunction with the World Bankhas focused on the reduction of consequences ofurban flooding in Argentina.

University of Hong Kong (China)The Department of Electrical Engineering is activelyinvolved in the analysis of system reliability forelectric power systems and in research for the pro-tection of critical infrastructure systems from natu-ral and technological hazards. The university is alsothe location of internationally recognized expertiseon landslide hazard reduction.

Yokohama National University (Japan)Center for GIS Applications for Disaster Reduction.The Department of Urban Engineering and Architec-ture has taken a leading role in the development ofGeographic Information Systems for the analysis ofnatural hazards exposure and vulnerability. Analy-tical tools are also under development for damageevaluation and reconstruction planning.

National Center for Disaster Prevention CENAPRED(Mexico)CENAPRED is the coordinating agency for disastermanagement in Mexico. The national center worksclosely with the National University of Mexico(UNAM) on disaster risk and vulnerability analysisand on the study of the impacts of disasters inMexico and Latin America.

The affiliated institutions of the DRM network arecommitted to knowledge development, transmission,and application in the field of disaster risk reductionand sustainable development.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 10

DRM is establishing a global network 13DRM is establishing a global network12

University of Texas at Austin (USA)The Department of Civil Engineering has stronggraduate programs in both Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering. A number of centers and laboratoriesprovide the facilities and staff to support researchactivities in disaster risk management related disci-plines, like the Center for Research in WaterResources (CRWR), Center for Transportation Re-search (CTR), Construction Industry Institute (CII),Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory (FSEL),Geotechnical Engineering Center (GEC), Center forEnergy and Environmental Resources (CEER),Construction Materials Research Group (CMRG),Environmental Solutions Program (ESP), Inter-national Center for Aggregates Research (ICAR).

London School of Economics (UK)Centre for the Analysis of Risk and Regulation. TheLSE has established the Centre for the Analysis ofRisk and Regulation in recognition of the need forbasic, interdisciplinary research in the area of riskmanagement and risk regulation. This need isreflected in a growing academic interest from anumber of disciplines regarding the analysis of pro-cesses underlying risk production, perception, man-agement and regulation. It is also both a responseto shifting corporate and governmental responsibil-ities and to the evolution of professional practicein risk management and regulation.

A significant part of the Centre’s activities will beaimed at facilitating knowledge exchange betweendifferent organizations, fostering cross-fertilizationregarding professional risk management and regu-latory practices and creating an independent com-munity of knowledge in this field that intersectseconomic sectors, professional backgrounds anddisciplinary boundaries.

Max Planck Institute (Germany)The Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC) locatedat Freiburg University monitors, forecasts and ar-chives information on vegetation fires (forest fires,land-use fires, smoke pollution) at global level. Theinformation thus generated supports decision-mak-ers at national and international levels in evaluat-ing fire situations or precursors of fire which poten-tially endanger humans or may negatively affect theenvironment.

George Washington University (USA)Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk ManagementThe Institute organizes interdisciplinary research inengineering, social and behavioral science, publichealth and emergency medicine. The Institute alsoprovides graduate level instruction at the mastersand doctoral levels. George Washington Universitycollaborates with Virginia Tech in the Joint Centerfor Disaster and Risk Management.

Bogazici University (Turkey)Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake ResearchInstitute. The Earthquake Research Institute andthe School of Engineering are actively involved in arange of hazard and vulnerability assessment activ-ities throughout Turkey. Urban loss estimation me-thodologies have been developed and applied. Current work is focused on the reconstruction fol-lowing the August 1999 Kocaeli earthquake and riskreduction measures for the Istanbul region.

University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)Center for Research and Transfer of AppropriateTechnology (CITTA). The Center has taken a leadingrole in the development of architectural and urbanplanning techniques for the reduction of disasterrisk. Recent work in conjunction with the World Bankhas focused on the reduction of consequences ofurban flooding in Argentina.

University of Hong Kong (China)The Department of Electrical Engineering is activelyinvolved in the analysis of system reliability forelectric power systems and in research for the pro-tection of critical infrastructure systems from natu-ral and technological hazards. The university is alsothe location of internationally recognized expertiseon landslide hazard reduction.

Yokohama National University (Japan)Center for GIS Applications for Disaster Reduction.The Department of Urban Engineering and Architec-ture has taken a leading role in the development ofGeographic Information Systems for the analysis ofnatural hazards exposure and vulnerability. Analy-tical tools are also under development for damageevaluation and reconstruction planning.

National Center for Disaster Prevention CENAPRED(Mexico)CENAPRED is the coordinating agency for disastermanagement in Mexico. The national center worksclosely with the National University of Mexico(UNAM) on disaster risk and vulnerability analysisand on the study of the impacts of disasters inMexico and Latin America.

The affiliated institutions of the DRM network arecommitted to knowledge development, transmission,and application in the field of disaster risk reductionand sustainable development.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 10

The core competency of DRM 15The core competency of DRM14

DRM will move beyond traditional post-disaster res-ponse to develop integral risk management and toelaborate a culture of sustainable risk reduction har-nessing both governments and the private sector.

DRM will contribute to this paradigm shift by pro-viding scientific bases, application tools and thenecessary operational framework to allow evolutiontoward sustainable risk management and to ad-dress the above-mentioned key natural and man-made risks across the board.

DRM will focus on an integrated strategy of riskmanagement both for natural and man-made tech-nical risks: assessment of hazards and their char-acteristics in spatial and time scales, analysis of

the vulnerability of civil engineering structures andof complex societal systems, integrated assessmentof risk at local, regional and national levels, anddesign of risk mitigation and management strate-gies.

Key efforts of DRM will be to provide support for aculture of risk perception, public awareness andmitigation of risks, for the development of newmethods in multidisciplinary investigation of com-plex, interacting natural and technical phenomena,the development of accurate risk scenarios, theimproved capacity to forecast the occurrence oflarge-scale events and of the associated damagepatterns, as well as the evaluation of the ability ofour societies to contain the long-term effects ofdisasters. Support for the implementation of effec-tive and comprehensive outreach programs, witheducation and technology transfer components atall levels, is also of primary importance.

Social and economic development requires newstrategies in risk management and risk prevention.The disasters of the last few years have demonstra-ted that attainable security in natural hazards man-agement remains limited despite existing effectivepreventive measures. Increasingly intensive landuse and the fact that natural hazards protection islimited by financial, security-technical and ecologi-cal barriers are creating a need for an ‘integratedrisk management and sustainable risk preventionculture’. Comprehensive and interdisciplinary riskmanagement and risk prevention strategies in areasexposed to different types of natural hazards mustbe based on integrated, professional hazard andrisk assessment. The prevention and mitigationmeasures that have to be taken are driven by thetechnical, socio-economic and ecological vulnera-bility of the various systems — which calls for aprofound knowledge of the event-dynamics of dis-asters (process-oriented research).

The involvement of the technical, natural, social, andeconomic sciences is equally necessary. Sustainablemanagement of natural hazards needs intensifiedinter- and trans-disciplinary research and well de-fined implementation strategies. Thus knowledgetransfer will be an important goal of DRM. An in-creasing number of developing countries haveattained basic know-how and implementation tech-niques that can be applied by other countries withsimilar exposure, including industrialized countries.The transfer of methods and approaches to solu-tions in the area of technical and natural risks alsoneeds to be better understood.

Science, education, industry, and politics have toface up to this challenge and support this difficultdecision-making process with adequate research,knowledge, the development of practical tools andinsurance and legislation strategies.

It is a fact that public awareness of natural disastersis generally low and therefore progress in risk pre-vention and mitigation is based mostly on the harmexperienced by the people directly affected. Thisapplies not only to investments in risk preventionand mitigation measures but especially to legisla-tion, standardization and governmental implemen-tation, and control. The creation of tools which in-crease public awareness, together with broadly-based education programs, has to be one of DRM'sprincipal goals.

Four “modules” for efficient disaster prevention andmitigation need to be considered. These modulesfocus on different but complementary questions.They identify key issues and corresponding re-search needs and will lead to specific research anddevelopment projects.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 12

The core competency of DRM 15The core competency of DRM14

DRM will move beyond traditional post-disaster res-ponse to develop integral risk management and toelaborate a culture of sustainable risk reduction har-nessing both governments and the private sector.

DRM will contribute to this paradigm shift by pro-viding scientific bases, application tools and thenecessary operational framework to allow evolutiontoward sustainable risk management and to ad-dress the above-mentioned key natural and man-made risks across the board.

DRM will focus on an integrated strategy of riskmanagement both for natural and man-made tech-nical risks: assessment of hazards and their char-acteristics in spatial and time scales, analysis of

the vulnerability of civil engineering structures andof complex societal systems, integrated assessmentof risk at local, regional and national levels, anddesign of risk mitigation and management strate-gies.

Key efforts of DRM will be to provide support for aculture of risk perception, public awareness andmitigation of risks, for the development of newmethods in multidisciplinary investigation of com-plex, interacting natural and technical phenomena,the development of accurate risk scenarios, theimproved capacity to forecast the occurrence oflarge-scale events and of the associated damagepatterns, as well as the evaluation of the ability ofour societies to contain the long-term effects ofdisasters. Support for the implementation of effec-tive and comprehensive outreach programs, witheducation and technology transfer components atall levels, is also of primary importance.

Social and economic development requires newstrategies in risk management and risk prevention.The disasters of the last few years have demonstra-ted that attainable security in natural hazards man-agement remains limited despite existing effectivepreventive measures. Increasingly intensive landuse and the fact that natural hazards protection islimited by financial, security-technical and ecologi-cal barriers are creating a need for an ‘integratedrisk management and sustainable risk preventionculture’. Comprehensive and interdisciplinary riskmanagement and risk prevention strategies in areasexposed to different types of natural hazards mustbe based on integrated, professional hazard andrisk assessment. The prevention and mitigationmeasures that have to be taken are driven by thetechnical, socio-economic and ecological vulnera-bility of the various systems — which calls for aprofound knowledge of the event-dynamics of dis-asters (process-oriented research).

The involvement of the technical, natural, social, andeconomic sciences is equally necessary. Sustainablemanagement of natural hazards needs intensifiedinter- and trans-disciplinary research and well de-fined implementation strategies. Thus knowledgetransfer will be an important goal of DRM. An in-creasing number of developing countries haveattained basic know-how and implementation tech-niques that can be applied by other countries withsimilar exposure, including industrialized countries.The transfer of methods and approaches to solu-tions in the area of technical and natural risks alsoneeds to be better understood.

Science, education, industry, and politics have toface up to this challenge and support this difficultdecision-making process with adequate research,knowledge, the development of practical tools andinsurance and legislation strategies.

It is a fact that public awareness of natural disastersis generally low and therefore progress in risk pre-vention and mitigation is based mostly on the harmexperienced by the people directly affected. Thisapplies not only to investments in risk preventionand mitigation measures but especially to legisla-tion, standardization and governmental implemen-tation, and control. The creation of tools which in-crease public awareness, together with broadly-based education programs, has to be one of DRM'sprincipal goals.

Four “modules” for efficient disaster prevention andmitigation need to be considered. These modulesfocus on different but complementary questions.They identify key issues and corresponding re-search needs and will lead to specific research anddevelopment projects.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 12

Module 1: Hazard assessment Natural hazards result from the interaction of threedistinct elements:

1. Physical systems at different geographic levels(e.g. slopes, river basins, mountains)

2. Triggering factors (precipitation, temperature vari-ations, earthquakes)

3. System reactions (floods, mass instabilities, ground movements)

The multidisciplinary approach 17The multidisciplinary approach16

VulnerabilityBuildings, Agriculture, Traffic.Complex Urban Systems, Life-lines. Political and EconomicSystems. Ecological Systems.

Integral Risk Management

Multisectoral System Approachfor Prevention and

Risk Reduction Strategies

Hazard AssessmentEvent Occurence Probabilities

Process AnalysisHazard Mapping

Risk AssessmentRisk Exposure Analysis

Public Perception, AwarenessRisk Aversion

Module 2: Vulnerability(From objects to complex systems and ecology)Modern risk management requires a qualitative andquantitative evaluation of the vulnerability of theobjects and systems at risk. Special attention hasto be drawn to overall societal vulnerability. Vul-nerability evaluation is the key component of riskassessment and risk management. Cost-benefit orcost-effectiveness analysis of prevention measures,for example, can be performed only on the basis ofa quantitative evaluation of possible damage tostructures, whole systems, the environment andsociety. In the natural hazards field, vulnerability isa concept still lacking clear scientific definition anda methodology that allows rigorous quantification.This is especially true of indirect damage costs (e.g.damage to society, loss of market share due todestruction of production facilities, etc.), and ofcost estimates of damage to the cultural heritageand to environmental systems. Progress must bemade and agreement reached on methodologies inorder to ensure a comprehensive approach to vul-nerability assessment covering the full range ofhazards. This has to be applied to structures, com-plex facilities (e.g. traffic lines) and whole societalsystems (e.g. a city), cultural heritage and environ-mental systems.

Module 3: Risk assessment methodsRisk assessment consists of a coordinated method-ological effort to understand the potential effectsof natural hazards on human activities and on theenvironment. It also characterizes their probabilityof occurrence as conditioned by the intrinsicallyuncertain nature of such events. The ultimate goalis, however, to develop techniques that allow themost appropriate allocation of available resour-ces to optimize the protection of a number of as-sets while minimizing the costs incurred. A compre-hensive list of assets that risk assessment is ex-pected to address will therefore include human life,primary infrastructures and urbanized areas, indus-trial and productive settlements, economic activi-ties and, last but not least, environmental preser-vation. This means developing techniques that pro-vide an integrated view of risk analysis, thus ad-dressing the question of compound risks. Moreover,such techniques are required to supply the assess-ment on different space and time scales, thus pro-viding the basis for a selective strategy of risk man-agement which is ultimately aimed at formulatingtargeted mitigation policies.

The risk management model

Natural hazards interact at different spatial andtemporal levels, varying from the local and region-al to the international scale. So far, individual haz-ards and physical processes have been, and willcontinue to be, studied individually as this is thecore activity of most research institutes. DRM there-fore supports the multidisciplinary understandingand integrated analysis of different physical pro-cesses acting on the same physical systems. A simi-lar model can be depicted for technical hazards.

Module 4: Integral risk managementRisk management and risk prevention are the oper-ational outflow of risk assessment, including alsohazard assessment and vulnerability, and are thuspart of an adjustable circuit. Means and measureshave to be implemented for sustainable and opti-mized use. The necessary system approach links allits elements and players in a network. This requiresthe development of tools for overall risk mitigation.The development of measures and methods to sup-port prevention and intervention activities (moni-toring, registration, forecasting, early warning, deci-sion-supporting tools for prevention and for front-line decisions, regional emergency management sy-stems, etc.) becomes particularly important.

DRM’s objective is to foster through scientific re-search a move away from the current reactive (defense against) and sectoral approach toward a risk management that integrates all relevant natu-ral hazards and technical risks. DRM will providesupport for this goal by closing interdisciplinaryknowledge gaps which hamper our society’s abilityto rationally assess risk, reduce vulnerability andallocate resources. One challenge facing DRM willbe the need to bring together practical needs and

research in order to scrutinize different interventionand mitigation schemes and the various combina-tions and inter-relationships of these interventions,and to optimize cost-benefit ratios, thereby helpingto introduce the philosophy of sustainability intorisk management as well.

The goals of risk management are then to link all ele-ments and players of the system in a network, andto develop tools for risk mitigation based on strate-gies of prevention and event management (interven-tion, recovery), knowledge transfer, education anddecision-making techniques. Sustainable manage-ment of natural risks means maintaining and enhanc-ing environmental quality, maintaining and enhancingpeople's quality of life, fostering resilience andresponsibility on a local community level, recogniz-ing that sound local economics are essential and,finally, ensuring intergenerational equity.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 14

Module 1: Hazard assessment Natural hazards result from the interaction of threedistinct elements:

1. Physical systems at different geographic levels(e.g. slopes, river basins, mountains)

2. Triggering factors (precipitation, temperature vari-ations, earthquakes)

3. System reactions (floods, mass instabilities, ground movements)

The multidisciplinary approach 17The multidisciplinary approach16

VulnerabilityBuildings, Agriculture, Traffic.Complex Urban Systems, Life-lines. Political and EconomicSystems. Ecological Systems.

Integral Risk Management

Multisectoral System Approachfor Prevention and

Risk Reduction Strategies

Hazard AssessmentEvent Occurence Probabilities

Process AnalysisHazard Mapping

Risk AssessmentRisk Exposure Analysis

Public Perception, AwarenessRisk Aversion

Module 2: Vulnerability(From objects to complex systems and ecology)Modern risk management requires a qualitative andquantitative evaluation of the vulnerability of theobjects and systems at risk. Special attention hasto be drawn to overall societal vulnerability. Vul-nerability evaluation is the key component of riskassessment and risk management. Cost-benefit orcost-effectiveness analysis of prevention measures,for example, can be performed only on the basis ofa quantitative evaluation of possible damage tostructures, whole systems, the environment andsociety. In the natural hazards field, vulnerability isa concept still lacking clear scientific definition anda methodology that allows rigorous quantification.This is especially true of indirect damage costs (e.g.damage to society, loss of market share due todestruction of production facilities, etc.), and ofcost estimates of damage to the cultural heritageand to environmental systems. Progress must bemade and agreement reached on methodologies inorder to ensure a comprehensive approach to vul-nerability assessment covering the full range ofhazards. This has to be applied to structures, com-plex facilities (e.g. traffic lines) and whole societalsystems (e.g. a city), cultural heritage and environ-mental systems.

Module 3: Risk assessment methodsRisk assessment consists of a coordinated method-ological effort to understand the potential effectsof natural hazards on human activities and on theenvironment. It also characterizes their probabilityof occurrence as conditioned by the intrinsicallyuncertain nature of such events. The ultimate goalis, however, to develop techniques that allow themost appropriate allocation of available resour-ces to optimize the protection of a number of as-sets while minimizing the costs incurred. A compre-hensive list of assets that risk assessment is ex-pected to address will therefore include human life,primary infrastructures and urbanized areas, indus-trial and productive settlements, economic activi-ties and, last but not least, environmental preser-vation. This means developing techniques that pro-vide an integrated view of risk analysis, thus ad-dressing the question of compound risks. Moreover,such techniques are required to supply the assess-ment on different space and time scales, thus pro-viding the basis for a selective strategy of risk man-agement which is ultimately aimed at formulatingtargeted mitigation policies.

The risk management model

Natural hazards interact at different spatial andtemporal levels, varying from the local and region-al to the international scale. So far, individual haz-ards and physical processes have been, and willcontinue to be, studied individually as this is thecore activity of most research institutes. DRM there-fore supports the multidisciplinary understandingand integrated analysis of different physical pro-cesses acting on the same physical systems. A simi-lar model can be depicted for technical hazards.

Module 4: Integral risk managementRisk management and risk prevention are the oper-ational outflow of risk assessment, including alsohazard assessment and vulnerability, and are thuspart of an adjustable circuit. Means and measureshave to be implemented for sustainable and opti-mized use. The necessary system approach links allits elements and players in a network. This requiresthe development of tools for overall risk mitigation.The development of measures and methods to sup-port prevention and intervention activities (moni-toring, registration, forecasting, early warning, deci-sion-supporting tools for prevention and for front-line decisions, regional emergency management sy-stems, etc.) becomes particularly important.

DRM’s objective is to foster through scientific re-search a move away from the current reactive (defense against) and sectoral approach toward a risk management that integrates all relevant natu-ral hazards and technical risks. DRM will providesupport for this goal by closing interdisciplinaryknowledge gaps which hamper our society’s abilityto rationally assess risk, reduce vulnerability andallocate resources. One challenge facing DRM willbe the need to bring together practical needs and

research in order to scrutinize different interventionand mitigation schemes and the various combina-tions and inter-relationships of these interventions,and to optimize cost-benefit ratios, thereby helpingto introduce the philosophy of sustainability intorisk management as well.

The goals of risk management are then to link all ele-ments and players of the system in a network, andto develop tools for risk mitigation based on strate-gies of prevention and event management (interven-tion, recovery), knowledge transfer, education anddecision-making techniques. Sustainable manage-ment of natural risks means maintaining and enhanc-ing environmental quality, maintaining and enhancingpeople's quality of life, fostering resilience andresponsibility on a local community level, recogniz-ing that sound local economics are essential and,finally, ensuring intergenerational equity.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 14

Projects follow a comprehensive strategy 19Projects follow a comprehensive strategy18

DRM is building a long-term strategy to guide proj-ect development. Priorities are based on demandfrom disaster-prone communities and the efficientapplication of DRM capabilities.

Dealing with natural, technical and financial risk ona local, regional, national and even global scalerequires a systematic approach. Hazard assess-ment, vulnerability analysis and risk assessmentare the basis for an integral risk managementprocess. Integral risk management makes use ofthe complete set of prevention, intervention andrecovery strategies to look for the most cost-effec-tive risk reduction measures. Limiting measures andstrategies to prevention, intervention, or recoverywould lead only to partially optimized sets ofmeasures. Many key elements within this overallsystem approach are still lacking and researchefforts are needed to gain adequate knowledge.

Project Summaries1. Vulnerability of critical infrastructures

Concepts and tools are required for a reliablevulnerability assessment of our large stock ofexisting civil engineered structures and industrialfacilities as well as for new objects subjected tonatural and man-made hazards. Concepts toreduce vulnerability or its effects (technical ororganizational measures, insurance strategies,etc.) have to be developed.

2. Vulnerability of the habitatTechnologically developed societies rely on theproper functioning of complex technical, eco-nomic, ecological and political systems. Habitatvulnerability deals with damage scenarios in built-up areas such as towns and suburbs, infrastruc-ture networks such as transportation, energy (oil,gas, electricity) and communication networksand their impact on society and the economy.

3. Interaction of risks with societal systemsMan-made risks and natural hazards bring aboutpotentially negative consequences for the eco-nomy and society as a whole. Reduced availabil-ity and quality of natural resources, damage toindustrial facilities and service centers, etc., re-sult directly in economic losses. Distributionconflicts, perceived individual insecurity, dis-putes over social values, etc., may arise and

create tensions in the societal and political sys-tem. Risk management has to rely on publicwelfare, taking individual risk perception, riskaversion, acceptable risk levels, residual unknownrisks, etc., into account. Understanding the vul-nerability of societal system enables efficientrelief and recovery strategies to be established.

4. Vulnerability of ecological systemsThe potential vulnerability of ecosystems byman-made and natural hazards lacks clear defi-nitions. Biotic systems are always changing.However, sudden catastrophic events may ex-ceed the individual limits of tolerance and hence disadvantage organisms and change habi-tats. Knowledge and understanding of adapta-tion and survival strategies are lacking and thusmanagement strategies to protect systems areneeded.

5. Design of monitoring systemsRisk is defined as a product of the three compo-nents hazard, values exposed to risk and vul-nerability. Values at risk are people, structures,life-lines, societal and ecological systems. Allthree components are extremely time-dependent,and risk, therefore, is not a constant value butis changing in time. Tools to monitor the riskevolution process are very important.

6. Public risk perception and awarenessThe willingness to pay for risk reduction meas-ures is closely related to risk perception andawareness. Man-made and natural risks are per-ceived differently. Risk aversion plays an impor-tant role. An integral system approach for pre-vention and recovery strategies has to rely onthese effects. Corresponding strategies have tobe developed.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 16

Projects follow a comprehensive strategy 19Projects follow a comprehensive strategy18

DRM is building a long-term strategy to guide proj-ect development. Priorities are based on demandfrom disaster-prone communities and the efficientapplication of DRM capabilities.

Dealing with natural, technical and financial risk ona local, regional, national and even global scalerequires a systematic approach. Hazard assess-ment, vulnerability analysis and risk assessmentare the basis for an integral risk managementprocess. Integral risk management makes use ofthe complete set of prevention, intervention andrecovery strategies to look for the most cost-effec-tive risk reduction measures. Limiting measures andstrategies to prevention, intervention, or recoverywould lead only to partially optimized sets ofmeasures. Many key elements within this overallsystem approach are still lacking and researchefforts are needed to gain adequate knowledge.

Project Summaries1. Vulnerability of critical infrastructures

Concepts and tools are required for a reliablevulnerability assessment of our large stock ofexisting civil engineered structures and industrialfacilities as well as for new objects subjected tonatural and man-made hazards. Concepts toreduce vulnerability or its effects (technical ororganizational measures, insurance strategies,etc.) have to be developed.

2. Vulnerability of the habitatTechnologically developed societies rely on theproper functioning of complex technical, eco-nomic, ecological and political systems. Habitatvulnerability deals with damage scenarios in built-up areas such as towns and suburbs, infrastruc-ture networks such as transportation, energy (oil,gas, electricity) and communication networksand their impact on society and the economy.

3. Interaction of risks with societal systemsMan-made risks and natural hazards bring aboutpotentially negative consequences for the eco-nomy and society as a whole. Reduced availabil-ity and quality of natural resources, damage toindustrial facilities and service centers, etc., re-sult directly in economic losses. Distributionconflicts, perceived individual insecurity, dis-putes over social values, etc., may arise and

create tensions in the societal and political sys-tem. Risk management has to rely on publicwelfare, taking individual risk perception, riskaversion, acceptable risk levels, residual unknownrisks, etc., into account. Understanding the vul-nerability of societal system enables efficientrelief and recovery strategies to be established.

4. Vulnerability of ecological systemsThe potential vulnerability of ecosystems byman-made and natural hazards lacks clear defi-nitions. Biotic systems are always changing.However, sudden catastrophic events may ex-ceed the individual limits of tolerance and hence disadvantage organisms and change habi-tats. Knowledge and understanding of adapta-tion and survival strategies are lacking and thusmanagement strategies to protect systems areneeded.

5. Design of monitoring systemsRisk is defined as a product of the three compo-nents hazard, values exposed to risk and vul-nerability. Values at risk are people, structures,life-lines, societal and ecological systems. Allthree components are extremely time-dependent,and risk, therefore, is not a constant value butis changing in time. Tools to monitor the riskevolution process are very important.

6. Public risk perception and awarenessThe willingness to pay for risk reduction meas-ures is closely related to risk perception andawareness. Man-made and natural risks are per-ceived differently. Risk aversion plays an impor-tant role. An integral system approach for pre-vention and recovery strategies has to rely onthese effects. Corresponding strategies have tobe developed.

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:17 Uhr Seite 16

DRM: an open organization 21DRM: an open organization20

DRM is organized to facilitate interaction of publicand private organizations, academic and researchinstitutions and potential beneficiaries.

The Board of Directors and the Scientific AdvisoryCommittee will be enlarged in line with growingsponsorship and participation.

The Scientific Advisory Committee will be responsi-ble for quality control and review of project metho-dology and products. It will also provide overall scientific guidance to the Institute.

Program Advisors

Dr Heinrich Neukomm, Director of Science,ETH Board (Head), Zurich

Dr Alcira I. Kreimer, Director, Disaster Management Facility, World Bank,Washington D.C.

Nicholas Van Praag, Principal ExternalAffairs Officer, World Bank, Washington D.C.

Dr Walter Ammann, WSL/SLF, Davos

The Scientific Advisory Committee will overseeDRM’s research activities.

Board of Directors

Dr Stephan Bieri (Head) CEO ETH Board,Zurich

Dr Charles Steger, President Virginia Tech,Blacksburg

Dr Frannie Leautier, Director InfrastructureGroup, World Bank, Washington D.C.

Ulrich Bremi, President Swiss Re, Zurich

Dr Maritta von Bieberstein Koch-Weser,Director IUCN, Gland

Operational Unit

Co-DirectorDr Frederick Krimgold, representing Virginia Tech

Co-Director Dr Jürg Hammerrepresenting ETH-Board

Hosting of ScientistsDiploma-Scholarships (4 p.a.)Sabbaticals (2 p.a.)

OutreachMeetings & Workshops (2-4 p.a.)Website, Newsletter, Project Reports

Scientific Advisory Committee

Co-Chairs

Dr Roberto Meli, National University ofMexico (UNAM), Mexico City

Dr Enrico Quarantelli, University ofDelaware (Emeritus)

23921_contents 18.04.2001 17:18 Uhr Seite 18

DRM: an open organization 21DRM: an open organization20

DRM is organized to facilitate interaction of publicand private organizations, academic and researchinstitutions and potential beneficiaries.

The Board of Directors and the Scientific AdvisoryCommittee will be enlarged in line with growingsponsorship and participation.

The Scientific Advisory Committee will be responsi-ble for quality control and review of project metho-dology and products. It will also provide overall scientific guidance to the Institute.

Program Advisors

Dr Heinrich Neukomm, Director of Science,ETH Board (Head), Zurich

Dr Alcira I. Kreimer, Director, Disaster Management Facility, World Bank,Washington D.C.

Nicholas Van Praag, Principal ExternalAffairs Officer, World Bank, Washington D.C.

Dr Walter Ammann, WSL/SLF, Davos

The Scientific Advisory Committee will overseeDRM’s research activities.

Board of Directors

Dr Stephan Bieri (Head) CEO ETH Board,Zurich

Dr Charles Steger, President Virginia Tech,Blacksburg

Dr Frannie Leautier, Director InfrastructureGroup, World Bank, Washington D.C.

Ulrich Bremi, President Swiss Re, Zurich

Dr Maritta von Bieberstein Koch-Weser,Director IUCN, Gland

Operational Unit

Co-DirectorDr Frederick Krimgold, representing Virginia Tech

Co-Director Dr Jürg Hammerrepresenting ETH-Board

Hosting of ScientistsDiploma-Scholarships (4 p.a.)Sabbaticals (2 p.a.)

OutreachMeetings & Workshops (2-4 p.a.)Website, Newsletter, Project Reports

Scientific Advisory Committee

Co-Chairs

Dr Roberto Meli, National University ofMexico (UNAM), Mexico City

Dr Enrico Quarantelli, University ofDelaware (Emeritus)

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DRMWorld Institute for Disaster Risk Managementc/o ETH BoardHäldeliweg 15ETH CenterCH-8092 ZurichSwitzerland

e-mail: DRM@ethrat.chtelephone: +41 1 632 20 02fax: +41 1 632 11 90

www.widrm.net

The objective of DRM

Growing need to improve disaster prevention

DRM offers applied research and knowledge dissemination

The Swiss research network

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

DRM is establishing a global network

The core competency of DRM

The multidisciplinary approach

Projects follow a comprehensive strategy

DRM: an open organization

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For further information please contact

DRMWorld Institute for Disaster Risk Management

206 North Washington StreetSuite 400Alexandria, VA 22314USA

e-mail: info@widrm.nettelephone: 703 518 8080fax: 703 518 8085

Co-Directors:

Dr Jürg Hammer, 703 535 3456jhammer@widrm.net

Dr Frederik Krimgold, 703 535 3444 fkrimgold@widrm.net

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