Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

Description

This lecture discusses the increasing impact of natural disasters worldwide, emphasizing the role of science and technology in reducing risks and building community resilience. Through case studies and examples, the instructor and guest speakers explore the benefits, challenges, and limitations of using technology for disaster risk reduction, focusing on floods, landslides, and earthquakes.

In MOOC

Official source

Related concepts (16)

Emergency management

Emergency management or disaster management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actually focus on the management of emergencies, which can be understood as minor events with limited impacts and are managed through the day-to-day functions of a community. Instead, emergency management focuses on the management of disasters, which are events that produce more impacts than a community can handle on its own.

Natural disaster

A natural disaster is the highly harmful impact on a society or community following a natural hazard event. Some examples of natural hazard events include: flooding, drought, earthquake, tropical cyclone, lightning, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or damage property, and typically leaves economic damage in its wake. The severity of the damage depends on the affected population's resilience and on the infrastructure available.

Risk assessment

Risk assessment determines possible mishaps, their likelihood and consequences, and the tolerances for such events. The results of this process may be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative fashion. Risk assessment is an inherent part of a broader risk management strategy to help reduce any potential risk-related consequences. More precisely, risk assessment identifies and analyses potential (future) events that may negatively impact individuals, assets, and/or the environment (i.e. hazard analysis).

Disaster risk reduction

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) sometimes called disaster risk management (DRM) is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster as well as dealing with the environmental and other hazards that trigger them.

Risk management

Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities.

Related lectures (33)

Vulnerability and Exposure MOOC: A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

Examines vulnerability, exposure, factors influencing disasters, and the human dimension of disasters.

Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction MOOC: A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

Explores actors in disaster risk reduction, emphasizing collaboration and the UNISDR Science and Technology Conference.

Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction MOOC: A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

Explores disaster risk reduction regulations, policies, and frameworks, emphasizing the role of science and technology in achieving resilience.

Science and Technology for Recovery MOOC: A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction

Delves into recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in disaster risk reduction.

Disaster Risk Reduction MOOC: A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction