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This paper describes new methods used for mapping news events gathered from around the world. Web based graphical map displays are used to monitor both the real time situation, and longer term historical trends. The results are derived from a synthesis of world events based on 20,000 news reports collected from the Internet each day by the Europe Media Monitor (EMM) (http://emm.jrc.org). EMM has invented a powerful method of rapidly classifying multilingual articles by matching weighted combinations of phrase and word patterns. The articles are cross-classified according to the countries mentioned and to general themes like “Conflict” “FoodSecurity” “Natural Disaster” “Ecology” and so on. The Alert system runs 24 hours per day keeping continuous hourly statistics on article populations. This then allows to generate real-time graphical presentations of “news maps”, time series of Indicators, and animations of crisis developments. In a second step, a more detailed geolocation of news articles based on town names identification in text and a reference gazetteer is performed. This has been coupled with a daily “Top News” clustering algorithm and results in 24 hourly News distributions for each EMM alert topic. This technique can also link clusters through different language versions and track stories in time. Geospatial representation of news developments enables decision makers to better assess a complex situation in a fast and objective fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the OASIS project, intelligent decision support tools shall improve situation analysis and assessment, provide assistance in finding appropriate recovery actions and scenarios, and help in handling multiple decision criteria. This functionality will be developed in two major directions: 1) knowledge-based decision support, and 2) advanced methods for handling decision complexity. Knowledge-based modules include data analysis support tool, event recognition and prediction, intelligent checklist, information prioritization, and knowledge base on relevant norms and regulations. Modules for handling specific decision complexities include data mining, data aggregation, argumentation and collaboration support, and multi-criteria decision analysis tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the property and life losses at the İ.T.U. Ayazağa Campus, after a probable disaster that may occur in İstanbul, it is strongly necessary to constitute an emergency management based object model and database in order to apply the Turkey Disaster Information System (TABİS) which was developed within the scope of “Constitution of the National RSS-GIS Based Database and Emergency Management Focused Decision Support System Project”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Office of Science of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is focused using the vantage point of space to improve our knowledge of the Earth system, space systems, and exploration. NASA spaceborne satellites provide measurements that are used in science research associated with the water and energy cycle, the carbon cycle, weather and climate, atmospheric chemistry, and the solid Earth and natural hazards. The NASA science mission has a focus on improving the prediction capacity in the areas of weather, climate, and natural and technological hazards. The data and knowledge resulting from the Sun-Earth observing systems and science models of the Sun and the Earth are available for assimilation into decision support systems to serve society. Through partnerships with national and international agencies and organizations, NASA contributes to benchmarking practical uses of observations from remote sensing systems and predictions from Sun-Earth science research. This objective is to establish innovative solutions using Sun-Earth science information to provide decision support that can be adapted in applications of national and international priority. A common modeling framework is followed as well as utilization of an enterprise architecture. Space-based data acquired by NASA contribute to Sun-Earth science models that enable understanding and forecasting of weather, climate, and to disaster management to serve in primary applications including the related applications in wildfire management, food security, aviation safety, homeland security, tropical weather, human health, invasive species management, and water and air quality management. Common systems engineering approaches are employed, including dependence on geospatial standards and interoperability, verification and validation, benchmarking, visualization, and workforce development. This paper describes the Sun-Earth observing missions, the science models, and the decision support systems in the context of a systems engineering approach to enhancing decision support systems for disaster management relevant to decision makers. The architecture for systematically delivering results from research to operations is described. Recent results and solutions are highlighted specific to disaster management as related to U. S. National and International efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the efforts by Boğaziçi University, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (BU-KOERI), Istanbul Community Impact Project in Istanbul, Turkey in piloting three innovative uses of geospatial information technology for community-participation in disaster mitigation. 1) The Neighborhood Geographic Information Sharing System provided volunteers with skills and tools for identification of seismic risks and response assets in their neighborhoods. Field data collection volunteers used low-cost hand-held computers and data compiled was fed into a geospatial database accessible over the Internet. Interactive thematic maps enabled discussion of mitigation measures and action alternatives. This pilot evolved into a proposal for sustained implementation with local fire stations. 2) The Basic Disaster Awareness Program Monitoring Facility involved collaboration between the Istanbul Community Impact Project and the Istanbul Education Directorate. School Basic Disaster Awareness instructors reported on dissemination of training using a web-based data entry application. The data was used to create a series of interactive Web-based thematic maps showing the geographic reach of the training program with hot links which allow the public to drill down to see local contact information. 3) The School Commute Contingency Pilot was designed to track school-bus routes in Istanbul, in order to stimulate contingency planning for commute-time emergencies when 400,000 students travel an average of 45 minutes each way on 20,000 service buses. Global Positioning System (GPS) data loggers were used to determine service bus routes displayed on printed maps highlighting nearest schools along the route. It is proposed that bus-drivers, parents and school managers be issued route maps with nearest schools that could serve as both meeting places and shelters. The system is designed to be in synchrony with the Istanbul Earthquake Early Warning and Rapid Response System housed at BU-KOERI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of an Arcview GIS extension namely SFlood.avx to integrate the SFlood hydraulic and sediment transport model (modified version of HEC-6 model) within ArcView GIS environment. The extension was written in an Avenue script language and Dialog Designer with a series of ‘point and click’ options. The flood risk model was tested using the hydraulic and hydrological data from Pari River catchment area in Malaysia. The required sediment input parameters were obtained from field sampling. Sflood.avx has the capability of analyzing the computed water surface profiles generated from SFlood hydraulic model and producing a related flood risk map for Pari River in Arc- View GIS. The user-friendly menu Graphic User Interface guides the user to understand, visualize, build query, conduct repetitious and multiple analytical tasks with SFlood model outputs. The results of this study clearly show that GIS provides an effective environment for flood risk analysis and mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Africa sub-region is an expansive land-mass, more than 6 million km2 comprising about 9 countries. Ecologically and environmentally the area is highly precarious, more than 65% of the sub-region being classifiable as semi-arid or arid. Some of the countries in the sub-region experience real desert like conditions with less than 250 mm annual rainfall. The sub-region experiences very frequent droughts, while rainfall distribution and intensity vary considerably, spatially and temporally. Frequent drought-related disasters include famines as a result of crop failures and lack of grazing and browse. The famines often result into human calamities such as hunger, starvation, malnutrition, mass migration of populations and in many cases death. These negative impacts of famine, resulting from environmental factors, are often compounded by several socio-economic and political factors that have over the years impacted negatively on the general production of the area. Many of these calamities due to their slow onset are ignored and often realised late, many times when their negative impacts and toll on the population have reached devastating levels. Part of the reason is lack of or inadequate Early Warning Systems (EWS) for monitoring environmental conditions as well as crop yields. This paper gives an overview of some the often ignored disasters suggesting some disaster management mechanisms that need to put into consideration in addressing and managing such calamities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment is a complex issue aiming at evaluation of different aspects of disaster damages. Traditionally, risk analysis relies on mathematical models to establish the likelihood of a given event occurring with a given degree of intensity in a given site. The major limitation of this type of approach is the fact that the field of risk necessarily entails uncertainty and it is not therefore always possible to make realistic hypotheses about possible future scenarios. Therefore, a new approach is required, that can take into account social, economic, cultural, and political aspects that are not generally considered in traditional assessment methods, but that serve to define the capacity of response of a territorial system to a disaster. In this paper we present a new approach, according to which the assessment process breaks down the principal goals into a hierarchy of lower level sub-goals. Each element of the hierarchy is assigned a local weight that evaluates the importance of that element not in overall terms (i.e. referred to the principal goal), but only in relation to the supra-ordinate element with which it is compared. The approach is tested in a case study estimating the risk of flooding in the Municipality of Monopoli, Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Hungary flood disasters are the major natural hazard as a consequence of lowland topographic conditions. Due to both structural and nonstructural mitigation measures from the mid 19th century, like building dikes and developing adequate warning system, no loss of life was reported since the 1950’s. Nevertheless the value of damage to human property in flood-prone areas may reach millions of euros each year throughout the country. Flood forecast is performed by the national hydrological institute, and warning is transmitted to the local hydrological authorities about the forthcoming disaster. Disaster response measures are based on conventional hydrological information and action plans are developed with traditional methods. The latest technology of GIS and remote sensing is not yet tested in the country to support the spatial information need of disaster response. The aim of our investigation was to test impact modeling using mostly freely available spatial data. This may ensure feasibility in a case of a future flood catastrophe in various geographic location. The decision of using non-commercial data was further based on the experience that data acquisition from dissimilar sources like local authorizes and the military mapping agency may last weeks or months and was found not suitable for rapid results. Investigation was based on the recent flood disaster event in the Northern part of the country in the summer of 2004. To analyze the elements possibly being damaged by the flood, the extent of the inundation was calculated. Flood simulation was executed using digital elevation model of the remotely sensed SRTM radar data and hydrological data from the Hungarian Water Resources Research Centre (VITUKI). Modeled flood extent was serving the basis of spatial analysis of the disaster impact. Settlements hit by the flood disaster were queried. Moreover the condition of flooded road and railway network was analyzed to support route planning of mitigation efforts. Results of this investigation should help to speed up decision making processes during future disaster events. Moreover should help to reduce property damages and suffering of flood victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash floods strike quickly and in most cases without warning. They are usually observed before any warning can be issued and usually persons and property have been affected before the warning reaches them. Such are the conditions prevalent in Malaysia’s extreme monsoon weather that occasionally causes floods and results in the extensive damage to property and sometimes loss of lives. Over the years variously hydrological and structural engineering measures have been implemented for flood monitoring and forecasting. These measures have only yielded limited success as may be seen in the recurring flood situation. Yearly financial and property loss estimates have increased and an estimated cost of over 2.5 billion RM is projected for the year 2004 according to sources from the drainage and irrigation department of Malaysia. It has thus become apparent that Malaysia institutes an effective operational flood forecasting to arrest the persisting flood problem. In this paper we will expound on current flood management and forecasting system being implemented in the country, particularly the Klang Valley that includes Kuala Lumpur where there has been tremendous urban growth and development in the last one and half decades. The paper further discusses where current flood management systems have been lacking in the absence of real-time hydro-meteorological forecasts. Where as hydrodynamic simulations and structural control measures have been emphasized in many flood management systems in Malaysia, the integration of real-time hydro-meteorological forecasts have been conspicuously absent, rendering most in-situ flood forecasts and early warnings ineffective in address the flood problem in the country. Malaysia is a tropical country that lies along the path of the northeast and southwest monsoon. Although satellite image based NWP have proved useful for the tropical and equatorial regions of the world in flood forecasting, they have yet to be applied in Malaysia. Observations have generally shown heavy cumulonimbus clouds formation and thunderstorms precede the usual heavy monsoon rains that cause floods in the region. This makes quantitative precipitation forecast a must be input to any flood early warning design. Numerous empirical studies have determined that cloud top temperatures less that 235k in the tropics are generally expected to produce convective rainfall at the rate of 3mm/hr. In this study we thus investigate monsoon cloud formation that has the propensity to precipitate using NOAA-AVHRR data for real-time operational flood early warning in Malaysia. The AVHRR data has been preferred for its relatively high temporal resolution of at most 6/hours, its easy acquisition and cost effectiveness and its ability for automated geometric rectification when compared to GEOS and GMS data. Cloud cover and types are processed using cloud indexing and pattern recognition techniques on the AVHRR data. The cloud indexing technique was initially developed for NOAA but was later also adapted for Geostationary satellite images. The technique assigns rainfall levels to each cloud type identifies in an image based on the relationship between cold and bright clouds top temperature and the high probability of precipitation. We discuss how visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) techniques are applied to bi-spectral cloud classification and rain areas are determined by classifying pixel clusters in the VIS/IR histogram. Precipitation probability is evaluated based on the relationship between cold and brightness temperature of clouds. The near infrared (NIR) and infrared (IR) channels 3, 4, and 5 of the data are processed for temperature and brightness. Cold clouds with temperature below 235k threshold value are taken as indication of rain.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal settlements have been part of the South African landscape as far back as the late 1800s. However, in the post-apartheid era, they have increasingly come under the spot light as a media concern. Housing shortages, service delivery, political tension, violence and crime, poverty and the high environmental and health risks are just some of what these settlements have to face. The problem is growing in many urban centres as inmigration continues and exacerbates the problems. In the case of Cape Town (main study context), an estimated 48 000 people are migrating into the City annually (CCC, 2004). Last year alone (2003) the City of Cape Town had a backlog of 240 000 houses (DiMP, 2004) and this year it has increased to 302 000 (CCC, 2004). Besides the huge backlog which the city faces, these areas have become the environments for accumulating disaster risk which result in repeat events that destroy the existing infrastructure and leave many people destitute and homeless. The causes for these disaster occurrences are very under researched and understanding of the complexity is just starting. The data collected shows a 120% increase in fire incidents in the last four years, as well as the fact that the frequencies of small events and the severity of disaster events are increasing disproportionately to the intensity of the hazard (MANDISA, 2004). This fact alone forms the basis of this study which investigation the relationship between settlement density and densification and the increasing patterns of fire severity over time. For this purpose two settlements, namely Imizamo Yethu (Hout Bay) and Joe Slovo (Cape Town Metropol) have been chosen. Upgrading the infrastructure has, up until recently, been how many local authorities have dealt with informal settlements. They have started realising that the structural upgrading method used to counter the vulnerability of the community only partly solves the problem of fires. Weak community unity, limited awareness of risk, inappropriate behaviour, and irresponsible tenancy by landlords need to be addressed in parallel with structural upgrades (DiMP, 2004). GIS is the main tool used in this study to examine the relationship between dwelling density and informal settlement fires. Its main functionality revolves around analysing certain environments spatially and representing structural factors, however does not currently include non-structural mapping tools. This study will show that the socio-political and economic dynamics in informal settlements, which play an important role in the fire severity and community risk, also needs to be included when undertaking any comprehensive disaster risk assessment. The challenge posed by the complex nature of risk in informal settlements in the South African urban landscape, underlines the need for a holistic and integrated approach to GIS and Disaster Management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of flooding due to runoff is a major concern in many areas around the globe and especially in Romania. In the latest years river flooding and accompanying landslides, occurred quit frequently in Romania, some of which isolated, others-affecting wide areas of the country’s territory. The main objective of the NATO SfP project “Monitoring of extreme flood events in Romania and Hungary using EO data” is to improve the existing local operational flood hazard assessment and monitoring using the functional facilities supplied by the GIS info-layers, combined with Earth Observation (EO) data-derived information, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and hydrological modeling. The study area is situated in the Crisul Alb - Crisul Negru - Kőrős transboundary basin, crossing the Romanian — Hungarian border. The orbital remote sensing can provide necessary information for flood hazard and vulnerability assessment and mapping, which are directly used in the decision - making process. The EO data-derived information of the land cover/land use is important because it makes possible periodical updating and comparisons, and thus contribute to characterize the human presence and to provide elements on the vulnerability aspects, as well as the evaluation of the impact of the flooding. In order to obtain high-level thematic products the data extracted from the satellite images must be integrated with other geo-information data (topographical, pedological, meteorological data) and hydrologic/hydraulic models outputs. The paper presents the specific methods developed for deriving satellite-based applications and products useful for flood disaster assessment and hazard reduction. An important contribution of EO derived information in the topic of managing flooding connected phenomena could be envisaged at the level of mapping aspects. Using the optical and microwave data supplied by the new satellite sensors (U.S. DMSP/Quikscat, RADARSAT, LANDSAT-7/TM, EOS-AM “TERRA”/MODIS and ASTER) different products like accurate updated digital maps of the hydrographical network and land cover/land use, mask of flooded areas, multi-temporal maps of the flood dynamics, hazard maps with the extent of the flooded areas and the affected zones, etc. have been obtained. These results, at different spatial scales, include synthesis maps easy to access and interpret, adequate to be combined with other information layouts resulted from the GIS database and to ingest rainfall-runoff models outputs. The presented applications will contribute to preventive consideration of the extreme flood events by planning more judiciously land-use development, by elaborating plans for food mitigation, including infrastructure construction in the flood-prone areas and by optimization of the flood - related spatial information distribution facilities to end — users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, many countries operate national near-real-time water level or river discharge transmission schemes. Increasingly, countries also publish this data online, typically by way of web sites of their national hydrological services (NHS). Though this is a major step forward, from a global perspective the diversity of data sources is still quite heterogeneous. Consequently, it still remains a tedious task to draw together all information needed for global assessments and models. Here GRDC aims at providing an additional service, called Global Terrestrial Network for River Discharge (GTN-R). The basic idea of the GTN-R project is to draw together the already available heterogeneous information on near real time river discharge data provided by individual National Hydrological Services and redistribute it in a harmonized way. GRDC has identified a priority network of 377 river discharge reference stations that constitute the first application network for GTN-R. The core of GTN-R is a software that collects near-real-time (NRT)-discharge data from distributed servers in the internet, harmonizes and summarizes it, and makes it available again in one standard format via a FTP-server. On the mid to long term, it will be necessary to overcome such tedious approaches and to arrive at internationally agreed standards for the exchange of metadata and data on measurements of geophysical and biogeochemical processes in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within this paper we examine the use of explorative spatial analysis methods to enhance the calculation and representation of an emergency risk assessment for the Finnish fire and rescue services in the metropolitan area of the Finnish capital Helsinki (including Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen). Some of these methods are available in existing GIS (Geographic Information System) software. Within the strategic levels of planning and management, improvements in the identification of high or low risk areas can assist the emergency preparedness planning and resource evaluation. To enhance the determination of a risk area we visualize the spatial distribution of phenomena like population distribution, building types, workspace distribution etc. and their relevance to the emergency services. In this paper we examine the relation between population density distribution and incident density. To visualize potential variables indicating risk areas we use the third dimension. The results of the paper show that by developing explorative visualizations one can enhance the process of finding and integrating these variables into risk analysis. Within this paper we suggest innovative types of maps as tools for decision makers, which can be used to attract the public to participate in planning procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A platform for geospatial hazard and risk information system, comprising graphical and numerical geospatial data, aerial and satellite images, georeferenced thematic data, and real time monitoring feeds is being developed by the Research Network on Natural Hazards at ETH Zurich (HazNETH). It will allow researchers to build efficient systems for handling, pre-processing, and analyzing the existing large and variable datasets from different natural hazard phenomena as well as different natural environments in the Swiss region. The final product will be a geospatial hazard information system. Three main steps will be followed in order to create this information system: the spatial database development, an integrated hazard procedure design, and a web enabled data query and visualization tool set. The geospatial database including the entire set of natural hazards phenomena occurring in an alpine valley will offer a platform to study existing hazard assessment methods and will allow the analysis and combination of various hazard parameters in relationship to phenomena. The final application based on the concept of Atlas Information Systems (AIS), will be used as an additional tool for risk and emergency assessment as well as for planning and decision making purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disasters are inevitable and it is impossible to fully recoup the damage caused by the disasters. But to some extent it is possible to minimize the potential risk by developing early warning strategies for disasters, prepare and implement developmental plans to provide resilience to such disasters and to help in rehabilitation and post disaster reduction. Uncontrolled forest fires have adversely affected the local landscape and economy. Climatic, phenology variations and topography, apart from local factors are some of the main causes of frequent occurrence of wild forest fires in Garhwal Himalayas. Understanding the important of forest in the national economy (12% of global plant wealth), conservation of environment and biodiversity, Forest Survey of India(FSI) as a central monitoring agency is assessing and estimating the forest resources in a two years cycle. India is one of the few countries in the world to carry out the forest cover assessment and mapping using satellite data in a two years cycle period. Keeping in view the role of forest in national development, a Central Sector scheme has been implemented that includes- development of Early Warning system for forest fires, mapping of forest fire affected areas, development of a fire danger rating system, monitoring the impact of the scheme and its evaluation, identification and mapping of all fire prone areas, compilation and analysis of data-base on forest fire damage, development and installation of ‘Fire Danger Rating System’ and ‘Fire Forecasting System’. The other measures include building up a strong communication network between the monitoring station and fire suppression teams, effective transportation, watch towers, Fire line creation and maintenance, creation of water harvesting structures, fire management plans, any other technological innovation, assistance to JFM(Joint Forest Management Committees),awareness, training and research. Remote sensing and GIS technology could be effectively used in fire risk zonation. The technology has proved to be a valuable tool in identifying different fire risk zones based on appropriate parameters such as fuel load, slope, aspect, altitude, drainage, distance from roads and settlements. The approach followed for broad based forest type classification in the study was helpful in identifying different forest types available in the area. Fuel load, slope degree, aspect, elevation, drainage, roads and settlement layers were assigned different weight ages depending upon their impact, in identification of fire risk zones. This was followed by ground verification of the generated fire risk zone maps and their comparison with incidences of forest fire in previous years. The response time to disaster relief was calculated based on the friction offered by slope, altitude and other factors. Thus, high to low fire risk zones can be identified and suitable management strategy for controlling the disaster can be prioritized in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the results achieved within the framework of the national research project Reduction of the Seismic Vulnerability of Infrastructural Systems and Physical Environment, sponsored by the GNDT (Italian National Group for Defense Against Earthquakes), which is a body of the INGV (Italian Geophysic and Volcanology National Institute). The project, which involved several Universities around Italy under the coordination of Prof. Michele Calvi of the University of Pavia, was carried out over three years and has been just completed in July 2004. The aim of the project was to study the problems related to the seismic vulnerability assessment both of the physical environment and the infrastructural systems, to develop new techniques and tools, or improve the existing ones, to provide an efficient reduction of the risk. One of the products of the project is the Web GIS, described in this paper, which has been applied to a test area in the South of Italy which in the past has suffered high seismic level events, to prove its efficiency and to examine the possibility of its implementation at national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Turkey, mitigation works have been given more importance since the 1999 Gulf earthquake. The first drafted projects put forth for Istanbul are the seismic microzonation and earthquake risk assessment projects. However, the fundamental plan which provided a ground for thorough assessment deducted from the mentioned projects as well as a road-map for mitigation is the Earthquake Master Plan. YTU (Yildiz Technical University) settlement and urban planning team have been faced some difficulties for risk assessment and priorities, during the IEMP (Istanbul Earthquake Master Plan) project. Therefore, some processes related to spatial decisions such as definition of priority areas were applied just for highly macro level. Risk priority areas could not be determined due to the lack of necessary information. The team has developed a new zoning approach for risk zoning based on density, pattern and other properties according to the requirements of previous projects with the contribution of BU (Boğaziçi University) project team. In this paper, existing GIS contents of risk maps and other information as the most essential component of the mitigation phase of disaster management, new zoning approach developed by YTU-BU teams during the IEMP project and possible results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The developed software and technical complex represents a mobile working place designed to support the work of radiation safety experts in case of emergencies, when leaving for the place of accident. It comprises required databases on normative documents in the radiation safety area; enquiry databases on objects, the personnel and equipment of emergency-rescue teams (ERT) from FAAE of Russia; the bank of electronic maps; computer systems for operative forecast and radiation environment measurement; the system to define geographical coordinates as well as a wide set of communication links to accept and transfer the data. The software and technical complex is implemented on the base of a portable IBM-compatible computer. The technical complex is also equipped by a dose rate sensor to run field radiation measurements. Geographical reference to the dose rate measurements is performed via GPS-receiver. Basic objectives solved by tools of the present mobile complex are as follows - information and analytical support for radiation safety experts, express simulation of radiation environment in the place of accident accompanying by radionuclide release, on-site dose rate measurement and retrieval of data on electronic maps, preparation of on-line required documents, forecasts and recommendations, operative communication and data transfer provision for RF FAAE crisis centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M3Flood (Monitoring, Managing, Mitigating) is born from the European project MUSHROOM. The aim of the project was to develop a software product and relative services which can provide a complete, integrated, modular and scalable support, interoperable with external tools and data, to the organizations responsible for managing flood emergencies. The two case studies (in Italy and Spain) have shown the strength of the systems in two directions: 1) applicability of the system in both phases risk forecasting and management and 2) flexibility of the system with respect to various components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2002 a simulated earthquake damage assessment scenario for the Greater Vancouver Region was visualized using GeoServNet. GeoServNet is web-based GIS software developed by York University GeoICT Lab with unique functionality of online 3D visualization and 3D fly. We tested our software in an earthquake simulation exercise that included a simulated Shakemap. Shakemaps are representations of ground motions recorded and extrapolated from knowledge of surface soil conditions. The Geological Survey of Canada is considering applying this technique to Canadian cities at risk. GeoServNet has been used for the demonstration of the utility of Shakemaps and how it could be used in an emergency response scenario. The constructed visual scenarios and information databases is crucial for the purpose of Disaster Management and Emergency Response. Most of currently available tools that are used for disaster management are focusing on the temporal component of the four phases of disaster management leaving an obvious gap in dealing with the spatial element particularly in visualizing disaster and emergency information. This study was conducted as a part of a federal project funded by the former Canadian Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP), recently known as the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEPC). In this study, federal, regional and local authorities along with industry and academic research institutions together coordinated information exchange in a collaborative manner. Results obtained from this project showed that visualization of earthquake disaster scenario was effective and near real time using GeoServNet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current software for estimating potential losses from hazards uses GIS software in order to display results of damage analysis on a map. In parallel, within the fields of geographic visualization and GISc systems capable of visualizing data for entire planets are starting to appear. One of the new challenges in this context is to develop a simple and intuitive general purpose navigation mode that will work well for a single planet from outer space to a street level. Such works are missing today. Although the need for global navigation in disaster management applications is rather conceptual than practical, introducing a conceptually better navigation mode has positive practical consequences also for applications in this field. By better concept for a navigation mode we mean: The navigation become generally usable around the whole globe regardless location of the viewpoint or level of detail used for the scene rendering; the navigation is intuitive for humans; and the navigation is simple by utilizing a single set of straightforward mathematical relations. In this text we introduce such global navigation mode, which has been implemented in Grifinor system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective warning services enable people to take actions in order to reduce life losses and fear, speeds up recovery and prevent oncoming hazards caused by various disasters. The proposed platform integrates different IT technologies with mobile devices in order to achieve smooth and undistracted collaboration among all rescue units and citizens involved in emergency situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organizational structure that deals with the Response phase in disaster and risk management is based on a strong co-operation between several organizations, such as the police, fire departments, the local government and the health services The size of the organization depends largely upon the scale of the disaster itself. Van Dijke 2003 identifies 31 processes, that concern information flows and coordination of forces, that are relevant in these cases. This paper concentrates on the information process at the first aid in hospitals, which is part of ‘somatic health care’. Research has been conducted on the information problems during emergency operations at first aid departments in Italy and The Netherlands. The results identify location information (location of patients, equipment, physicians and/or relatives, and so on) as a critical factor for improve quality and coordination of health services. In most cases the location has to be determined indoors, where the most common global 3D positioning (based on GPS) is not available. It is still a challenge to obtain accurate positions indoors. In general terms, one can distinguish between two broad classes of location technology: global (telecommunications) and local (WiFi, Bluetooth) network approaches, based on absolute (providing coordinates) or relative (providing speed and direction of movement) positioning. Currently, the most commonly used approaches for indoor positioning are based on WiFi and RFID. This paper presents a system for indoor positioning and LBS to support hospital teams in emergency management. The paper discusses current information problems, investigates the required functionality of a system for hospital services, and the added value of indoor location technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disastrous accidents (fire, chemical releases, earthquake, terrorist attacks, etc) in large public and residential buildings (discotheques, cafes, trade and industrial buildings) usually result in tragic consequences for people and environments. Such accidents have clearly showed that need for reliable systems supporting rescue operations is urgently appealing. Amongst all, giving appropriate information to the ordinary people in/around the affected area considering the disaster developments (available exists, assessable corridors, etc.) and the human factors (age, gender, disability) are of critical importance for the success of the rescue operation. This paper promotes a new approach (based on 3D models) for giving evacuation instruction to people. The paper is organized in three general parts. The first part discusses briefly current approaches for alarming people in buildings showing their disadvantages. The second part presents the 3D system architecture and elaborates on the needed components. Discussion on the required developments concludes the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite navigation has become an important positioning source for a wide range of applications, many of which going much beyond the traditional transport sector. One example is personal mobility including dense urban, indoor, and outdoor applications. Practically all of the current applications rely on the GPS signals, sometimes also exploiting regional or local augmentations for better accuracy. As applications move into safety-critical and other areas where service reliability is of concern, users and service providers alike are becoming aware of the importance of service qualities and guarantees. Disaster management is one example of such applications. As a first step, an integrity signal is already provided with the SBAS services WAAS and EGNOS. From the year 2008 onwards, full-scale service guarantees will be available on certain signals of the GALILEO system. In pedestrian user environments like dense urban canyons or indoors, the performance of GNSS (including conventional terrestrial and/or satellite based means of augmentation) for position and integrity reaches well-known technological limits. These limitations can be overcome by adding additional information sources to the system. The ESA funded project SHADE addresses special handheld-based navigation applications in difficult environments. The main focus of the project lies in the navigation non-transport applications like rescue services, VIP tracking or lone worker protection. A highly mobile demonstration system for pedestrian use has been developed that targets sensor augmented navigation, enhanced through visual representation, in security related fields of operation (e.g. rescue operations). The system architecture is based on the combination of navigation, communication and geoinformation. Geoinformation in this context means the creation of a visualization component for a better 3D orientation at the service Center and for the mobile user. The modular system architecture of SHADE is built for information exchange between several mobile units and one or more service centers, which regulate and coordinate information and position exchange. The position information is sent from the Mobile Unit via the mobile communication link to the Service Center, where all position information of different users are managed and provided to the SHADE mission Center over fixed internet services. The mission Center accesses its database and the position updates to render images of the surrounding, based on 3D city and/or terrain models. This can be a bird’s view, over the shoulder view, or any other view defined by a mission Center operator. The image is continuously updated and can be accessed by the Mobile Unit. The system that has been designed, built and tested for SHADE uses three different technologies alternatively. Each of the so-called Pilots provides position and integrity data over the mobile communication link. The first Pilot applies the assisted GPS principle. It provides position information even in dense urban environments where weak navigation satellite signals are still detectable. The EGNOS-TRAN service Center provides rapid acquisition assistance information, such as satellite almanacs and precise local time, to the mobile unit. Raw pseudo range measurements are sent back to the service Center, where the user position is calculated. Additionally, the server uses EGNOS information to differentially correct GPS measurements and to process integrity. The second Pilot implements innovative dead-reckoning technologies. GPS positioning is aided during periods of poor reception or bridged during complete signal outages, e.g. indoors or in tunnels. A custom furnished Multi-Sensor Box (MSB) is equipped with a GPS/EGNOS receiver and a number of digital sensors (accelerometers, gyros, barometer, magnetometer).… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This job shows the experience of the office “Servizio Sismico Nazionale” (OSSN - Italian Department of Civil Protection), started in the 1992, to build up the complex information system: SIGE. SIGE, that utilizes a lot of integrated technologies to support the seismic emergency management: G.I.S., G.P.S., G.P.R.S., P.D.A. and W.E.B., is activated in case of an earthquake of magnitude 5 or more that hits the Italian Territory. The article describes the different phases of a seismic crisis: the activities start from the scenario production in the OSSN centre, continue in the involved area with the data collection and close with the production of synthesis maps for the emergency management. SIGE utilizes the positive experience of two IST European project: FORMIDABLE and EGERIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the frequency of disasters and their associated damages globally is part of a worldwide trend, which results from growing vulnerability and may reflect changing climate patterns. Global risks seem to be increasing. These trends have significantly initiated the development and implementation of the National Disaster Hazard and Vulnerability Atlas. The main idea was to design and develop database-driven, web-enabled interactive “virtual book” (Atlas). It consists of various “chapters”, such as drought, flood, cyclones, storms, severe weather, and fires. Web-enabled GIS is used as the most important user communication interface for various hazards. User is able to submit input through maps. Results of various calculations, if spatially distributed, are returned back to user in form of GIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of Earth observation technology and geospatial information technology, disaster managers (in the broadest sense) now have power tools capable of collecting and integrating data from various sources in an efficient and cost-effective manner. These properties make it particularly attractive to disaster management support activities. This paper examines the problems of geospatial data acquisition for disaster management with a focus, in particular, on urban environments from two perspectives: geospatial data requirements and the role which high-resolution satellite imagery (0.6 − 5 m) can play in satisfying these geospatial information requirements, and effective image exploitation methods. We focus on the potential of available very high-resolution commercial satellite image data for rapid urban mapping and discuss the example of automated building and road extraction from pan-sharpened IKONOS and QuickBird images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landslide map in the Serchio basin (Central Tuscany, Italy) is an official document that represent the actual state of the landslides in the region. At present, the updating of the map is carried out by different municipalities using paper sketch maps, sent by post to the Autorità di Bacino del Fiume Serchio (AdB). The objective of the work presented here was to significantly speed up and simplify this updating process, while taking into account the severe constraints of the municipalities. This was to be achieved by providing them with a lightweight Web based map application that allows inventory of new landslides and submitting them via the WWW directly to the AdB databases. Open Source technology and Open Standards were employed to build a database-driven application. The data is stored in a spatial database backend (MySQL), following OpenGIS Simple Features specifications. Server applications extract data from the database and deliver it as a client-side application in SVG, the Scalable Vector Graphics format of the W3C. This paper presents the technical background and setup of this application and plans for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkoping University (LiU) has developed a Visual User Interface and Web-enabled advanced 3D visualization to a flood forecasting system in an EC funded project named MUSIC. The project develops state-of-the-art precipitation estimation algorithms, assess their uncertainty and use an innovative combination of the output data of the three independent data sources radar, satellite and rain gauges. The basic role of any real-time quantitative precipitation and flood forecasting system lies in its capability, within the forecasting horizon, of assessing and reducing the uncertainty in forecasts of future events in order to allow improved warnings and operational decisions for the reduction of flood risk. In line with this requirement, the MUSIC project is to develop an innovative technique for improving the weather radar, weather satellite and rain gauge derived precipitation data, taken as independent measurement source. Another key objective is seeking to improve the communication and the dissemination of results to the authorities involved in real-time flood forecasting and management. The project tests the system on real world case studies on two test catchments the Reno and Arno rivers in Italy. LiU is developing the innovative 3D Visual User Interface that will enable the users to take a more active role in the process of visualizing and investigating flood forecasting, allowing them to better understand the data and uncertainty behind the forecasting system. LiU also provides easy-to-use collaborative visualization tools enabling the meteorologists, hydrologists, operations managers and the civil defense manager to view and discuss the forecasting results in real time across the network before finally interacting with the media, the police, other officials and the public. The system will considerably improve the flash flood forecasting reliability and precision and will shorten the time required to detect events that lead to catastrophic flood events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The timely availability of relevant information is vital for the operations of local authorities. In the case of dealing with natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, geo-information and geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to improve and organize response and consequently minimize their impact. The paper explores the adoption and use of geo-information and GIS applications within an organisational context bound by legal mandates and official procedures. The paper relies on a sociotechnical approach in exploring and understanding this process. This interaction is captured in the organizational routine concept that is a template for understanding mandates and reflects the agreement on the role of the geo-information in organizational activities. Empirically, the paper is based on two local authorities adopting a GIS for natural disaster risk management: Naga City in the Philippines having a flood hazard concern, and Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City in Nepal having an earthquake concern. The case studies show that the socio-technical interaction of GIS technology for natural disaster management with other organizational needs leads to a continuous re-design cannot be possibly based on pregiven and final users’ needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of an agency or group of agencies to manage any disaster rather than just react to crises is critically dependent on the immediate availability and flow of geographic information to responders in the field for decision support. Such information can include location of emergency management facilities, state of transportation routes, presence of population centres, susceptibility of environmental and habitat zones, scenario and simulation models etc. However, in order that such information fits the needs of the responders we need to move beyond location-aware computing in which primarily the location of the user is considered. In particular, individual information needs optimized on the basis of location, user, goals and tasks allow for the determination of situation-adapted information solutions. This chapter discusses the potential of task-centred adaptation of geographic information for effective disaster response. It examines issues such as content adaptation, concepts of domain, utility and task-related optimization. The ultimate goal is to achieve task-specific delivery of appropriate geographic information to those in the field who are responding to an emergency situation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The POIRE project focused on making the information demand of crisis managers and disaster fighters more explicit by a stepwise refinement of their need for relevant information. A five step analysis was used to define the basis questions for each working process defined to be activated during crisis management and disaster fighting. Maps appeared a valuable method for communicating the answers on the raised questions. Maps that look more like PowerPoint sheets than GIS based presentations. The presentation of the core information implies focus on what to show and what to omit. The huge amount of data to be effectively searched in moments of crisis, requires a smart information retrieval instrument. An instrument that opens data by location, object, actor, process and organization. The classic item and pull down menu driven GIS tools need extensions for non GIS users. Ontology based menus can probably fulfill this requirement. Managing the sudden tsunami of data requires support of information management and intelligent post processing of logged data. Distinction between ‘must know’ and ‘might need to know’ needs implementation. Information should ideally be available within three mouse clicks. GIS technology can also contribute on managing the huge amount of distribution and monitoring of workload. By providing a common operational picture (SITPLOT) and features for having both overview and drill down functionality, users receive a powerful set of information processing tools enabling them to execute their jobs effectively. The merging of SCADA and GIS mechanism promise this functionality. Last but not least, clickable maps that open position located documents and vice versa (G-linked documents) provide the information process tools required. One might think that ICT is the “Haarlemmer Oil” lubricant that solves all information processing problems. One should however bear in mind, that ‘ease of use’ and not a tsunami of functionality is the factor of success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses GIS and disaster preparedness and management by a public safety agency at the scale of a small metropolitan area or jurisdiction within a larger metropolitan area. After briefly reviewing the local, South Florida, context, the paper focuses first on the agencies experiences with mostly Federal GIS programs — ALOHA, CATS/JACE and HAZUS-MH — geared to managing natural and man-made disasters. The next portion of the paper focuses on an evolving enterprise GIS within the public safety agency that has included projects related to: use of GIS technology for critical incident response; homeland security; and incorporating and anticipating wireless technology in data collection, and distribution. The paper concludes with lessons learned and recommendations in terms of both technology and organizational imperatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a decision support system integrated in a GIS with the aim of managing optimal navigation of emergency medical vehicles in urban areas. The focus is particularly on individuation of the shortest route for ambulance facilities. We do not simply propose a solution to the calculation of the shortest route in the traditional terms of distance to be traveled but rather the individuation of a route bearing in mind the set of factors that can cause delayed ambulance response. For this purpose, an “expert system” is integrated with the traditional algorithms for calculating the shortest route (such as Dijkstra’s algorithm). To build the expert system, a set of rules is deduced from observation of the behavior of ambulance drivers, and a model of the urban road network is built in order to apply the algorithm calculating the shortest route. We thus aim to provide a decision support tool that can maximize emergency service vehicle response, an evidently critical factor with a life or death impact. Finally, we stress the theoretical and practical difficulties of interaction among two such different tools as the “expert system” and a mathematical method calculating the “shortest route”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to navigate a 3d virtual environment in real-time has a high priority in connection with different applications for disaster management. This paper presents GRIFINOR — a platform for applications within this area. As a part of GRIFINOR, three new innovations have been promoted. They are presented in this paper as well. In many situations it is important that geoinformation can be accessible for queries within a very short time-frame (minutes). Questions about spatial reasoning and volumetric calculations in connection with different types of simulation has been very dependent on a priori models and very fast computer graphics hardware and software. It is also essential that the features of the model become real objects with attributes etc. Urban 3d models have traditionally been built as wire frame models. This makes it very difficult and in some situations impossible to attach geoinformation to the spatial structure in a way so that it is useful for real-time navigation in 3d. These wire frame models are not suitable for either a connection to a spatial database or for spatial queries. Centre for 3D GeoInformation at Aalborg University, is developing a system that handles 3D data structures as objects with facilities to support real-time geovisualization. The need for a new concept in this area has been one of the major motivations for the development of GRIFINOR. Instead of dealing with simple geometry in a CAD-based environment, GRIFINOR is developed to support object-oriented technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disaster management depends on large volumes of accurate, relevant, on-time geo-information that various organizations systematically create and maintain. In The Netherlands municipalities are an important party in the safety management chain when accurate geo-information is concerned. As opposed to municipalities in many other countries Dutch municipalities not only carry out central government policies but also have several policy areas in which they operate autonomously. Hence Dutch municipalities have a wealth of geo-information. This is why in the safety management chain Dutch municipalities are often referred to as the fourth column besides the police, the fire department and medical care. However, due to the municipal autonomy the geo-information is structured and described in as many ways as there are municipalities. This results in a situation in which the semantics of geo-information is not even always clear to the producer and whereby formal semantics are almost never available. On the other hand following several large scale disasters such as the fire in a pub in Volendam and the exploded fireworks factory in Enschede Dutch government has decided to reorganise disaster management in The Netherlands in so called safety regions. These regions consist of several municipalities. Thus this development increases the demand for easily accessible and readily available relevant, standardized and accurate geo-information from municipalities on a regional level. Working from the same municipal autonomy that has created the described difficulties Dutch municipalities have organised themselves to found DataLand. DataLand is the non-profit on-stop-shop for municipal geo-information. The mission of this initiative is to make the municipal geo-information widely accessible. In fulfilling its mission DataLand together with its participating municipalities standardizes the registrations and formalizes the semantics so that third parties know what information they get. Also DataLand actively monitors the data quality. This paper will focus primarily on how DataLand as a one stop shop offers a solution to the problem of data management between the different columns involved in disaster management. The paper will demonstrate how challenges for data management, data collection, translation, integration, classification and attributes schemes, temporal aspects (up-to-dateness, history, predictions of the future) are tackled by using simple, low cost IT solutions. Also the paper will describe how open communication is of overriding importance in creating co-operation between different institutions involved with disaster management. Secondly how this solution works in practice will be demonstrated by discussing the results of a reallife, real-time test that DataLand recently conducted together with the Regional Rescue Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond (RHRR) over the course of a year. This experiment not only showed the improved response time of this rescue service body but also for the first time gave clear insight in the user needs of disaster management bodies with regard to municipal geoinformation. In closing the paper will reflect on the lessons learned in developing a one-stop-shop for municipal geo-information. This is important as the concept of a one-stop-shop to facilitate smooth data flows between different partners involved in disaster management is also feasible for other parties involved in disaster management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tackles the need of enhanced population data for disaster management and aid delivery studies in developing countries. It analyses the usefulness of a set of spatial data layers, including medium resolution satellite imagery, for population density estimations in rural Zimbabwe. The exercise conducted on a 185 × 185km area at a grid cell size of 150m allowed us to develop a methodology that can be extended to the whole of Zimbabwe. The surface modelling of population density was implemented by integrating 4 main variables: land use, settlements, road network, and slopes. During the modelling procedure, pixel weighting values were allocated according to pre-defined decision rules. In a final step the district population counts of the recent Zimbabwean census were distributed among all pixels of the relevant district according to the pixel weighting values. The resulting land use information and population data can be linked to vulnerability and food insecurity. In order to be transferred to other countries, the modelling procedure needs to be adapted to case specific characteristics, the determination of which requires a certain level of local / expert knowledge. In addition, passive sensors might not provide sufficient cloud free satellite data for regions lying within the moist tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual 3D city models provide important information for different aspects of disaster management. In this context, up-to-dateness of and flexible access to 3D city models are of utmost importance. Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) provide the appropriate framework to cover both aspects, integrating distributed data sources on demand. In this paper we present CityGML, a multi-purpose and multi-scale representation for the storage of and interoperable access to 3D city models in SDIs. CityGML is based on the standard GML3 of the Open Geospatial Consortium and covers the geometrical, topological, and semantic aspects of 3D city models. The class taxonomy distinguishes between buildings and other man-made artifacts, vegetation objects, waterbodies, and transportation facilities like streets and railways. Spatial as well as semantic properties are structured in five consecutive levels of detail. Throughout the paper, special focus is on the utilization of model concepts with respect to different tasks in disaster management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, 2D GISs are common and their related theories, concepts and models like for geometrical modeling and spatial relationships of objects are also well addressed and investigated. Most of the tasks related to 2D GIS applications are quite straightforward and relatively easy to handle. 2D GIS spatial analysis such as proximity analysis or proximity computation, network analysis, overlay function, neighborhood function, metric measurement and other analytical operations are also well understood and well researched by the GIS community. However, problem started to surface once we move towards 3D domain, i.e. to add an additional dimension to the current 2D GIS situations such as in spatial data modeling, analysis and application. Manipulating and handling spatial objects become more complicated as we move toward 3D. This paper attempts to address one of the problems in 3D analytical operation, i.e. 3D proximity analysis. As we know that vertical component of spatial data directly interacts with the X and Y from the planimetric plane and makes the description of an object even harder to define. Data structure that supports object generation, preserves and maintains relationship with the neighboring objects is important in the 3D geometrical modeling. Several researchers in this problem domain have stated that 3D conceptual model, topological relationships, data collection, and spatial analysis might comprise a wide spectrum of questions and needs a lot of efforts to realize the solution. Although advancement in computer graphics have benefited to community in terms of 3D visualization and display but some other critical aspects like 3D spatial modeling together with the semantics information and spatial operators are hardly addressed, defined, and implemented commercially. The commercial GIS packages that able to handle 3D datasets are rather limited to surface analysis and visualizing them in 3D. GIS accepts the fact that 2.5D GIS involves a single height attached to the planimetric positions (X, Y) whereas real or “true” 3D GIS should able to handle data like planimetric data with multiple heights, e.g. solid objects. Some advanced 3D tasks such as 3D overlay functions, and network functions are not available in some commercial GIS software, for examples, ERDAS’s Imagine VirtualGIS, Intergraph Inc’s GeoMedia, PCIGeomatics’s Geomatica where they provide excellent tools for 3D visualization and 3D texture models. The systems also provide some operations like surface generation, volume computation, image draping, and terrain inter-visibility can be carried. However, “true” 3D operations are hardly available. Inevitably, many issues need to be investigated. To move on to the 3D GIS, the third dimension must not be constrained by the single XY plane only. Considering the 3D analysis is the core component of the 3D GIS, therefore, an investigation that involves data input and 3D analytical operation will be addressed in this paper. Other aspect such as databasing is out of the scope. The developed analytical operations have been tested using real datasets that cover Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) main campus. In general, managing disaster scene is quite demanding and needs rapid spatial information on the spot where some of the required information is in the form of 3D display of a spatial query and analysis. This paper discusses the development of proximity analysis that is the 3D buffering. The corresponding algorithms that work for most of the spatial primitives, i.e. point, line, and polygon in 3D will be discussed. We tested our buffering approach by using photogrammetrically captured datasets. Finally, the paper provides outlook to the proposed work towards the development of advanced 3D analytical solutions in 3D GIS domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan is located in a zone of high-seismic activity. Given the rugged and mountainous nature of the country and the location of villages, towns and cities, there is propensity for widespread death and destruction due to landslides whenever an earthquake occurs. Use of satellite imagery by humanitarian agencies in Afghanistan in preparation for and response to natural and man-made disasters has been very limited, mostly to International organizations such as the United Nations. Earth Observation Satellites (EOS) due to their vantage position have demonstrated their ability to rapidly provide vital information and services in a disaster situation. EOS has been used in emergency situations where the ground resources are often lacking. The perception amongst humanitarian agencies and civil protection authorities in most developing countries is that the cost of satellite imagery is not cheap. With limited budgets available for purchasing satellite data, they tend to opt for less expensive solutions such as interagency survey teams to assess damages. The rugged and mountainous nature of Afghanistan and the lack of roads in most parts of the country, survey teams are most often hampered, leading to delays in delivery of information from the field to the decision makers. Recent earthquake in the Hindu Kush of the country in April 2004 witnessed the triggering of the International Charter for free delivery of satellite imagery. Image analysis and interpretation of both pre and crisis data did not show observable features of damages. The damage assessment maps were used by the humanitarian community for decision-making. Availability and access to space technology in addressing natural disasters have been the main obstacles facing developing countries particularly those poor countries without their own space programs. This problem has been solved through the introduction of The International Charter for major disasters. However, knowledge about the Charter is not common knowledge in most developing countries; Disaster Management Authorities, the Academic Institutions, humanitarian agencies and the affected communities have very little idea about the availability and access to free satellite imagery. There is need for a massive awareness campaign to educate decision makers about the International Charter and the potentials of using space technology in addressing problems relating to disaster management and the environment. The skills to process satellite imagery and integrate it with other GIS layers are lacking in most developing countries; there is need to embark on a massive capacity building exercise to ensure optimization of the benefits of the technology. The Charter needs to find innovative ways of quickly sending value added information products to disaster management authorities instead of relying on in-country skills in image processing. This paper elaborates on the experiences gained working with images received from the International Charter, and the immense pressures from the humanitarian community for rapid delivery of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Sahel region the unfavourable climatic conditions and the natural resources degradation are recognised to be the main constraints affecting the agricultural productivity; nevertheless more complex and less evident causes of food insecurity of population groups need to be investigated. The analysis of biophysics and socio-economic dynamics acting in disadvantage areas is considered a basic element to put in action effective programs for the prevention and management of food crisis. The availability of effective and timely information during the development of agricultural season is strategic for the evaluation of famine warning level: it constitutes a support to the planning activity of decision makers. In this context a schedule for food crisis prediction has been designed as an operational framework enabling to integrate different tools to produce appropriate information to define and monitoring the risk zones during the whole agro-pastoral season. The spatial extension and the importance of the population touched can be timely estimated in order to define the action plans to minimize the crisis damage. An analysis module, a plugin of the free Geographic Information System VisualCarte, has been developed aiming at increasing the Sahelian National Services’ responsibility in emergencies management and at encouraging their involvement in the long-term resources planning for crisis prevention. The plugin PRVS (Structural Vulnerability Mapping Procedures) enables the elaboration of thematic maps through indicators of vulnerability and the creation of scenarios about the current vulnerability. A structural frame of reference for the identification of vulnerable zones and populations at regional and national level is made available: homogeneous areas and administrative units are classified according to theirs productive capacity related to the economic structure of productive system. As consequence the monitoring of negative events can include their evaluation according to the incidence in the context of structural vulnerability. The plugin PRVS can process different data type. The use of real or estimated data allows to assess the impact of unfavourable conditions on the primary productivity during the rain fed season. The estimation of the capability of the primary sector to sustain a given population leads to the identification of self-sufficient, surplus or deficit areas. By means of integrated analyses tools and seasonal forecast, the early assessment of current vulnerability may occur. The continuous availability of reliable information for the mapping of vulnerability satisfy the needs of the various institutions involved in crisis prevention and natural resource management. The work described in this paper has been conducted by Ibimet - CNR in collaboration with Agrhymet Regional Center within the SVS (Suivi de la Vulnérabilité au Sahel) project funded by Italian Cooperation. The program’s objective is the strengthening of regional and national capacities of CILSS countries (Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel) in the crisis prevention and in the poverty reduction. Methodologies for vulnerability analyses have been pointed out to support different users with appropriate information. Furthermore environmental monitoring for the assessment of zoning associated with climate change is also included in the objective of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services (CERSGIS), a self-supporting, no-profit organization within the University of Ghana is an implementing agency an European Union supported project for “Establishing Mapping and Monitoring System for Development Activities in Ghana (EMMSDAG)”. The current EDF-funding cycle of three years covers the “Rural Phase” of the EMMSDAG”. The goal of the Rural Phase of the EMMSDAG is an on-line multi-functional/multi-application ArcGIS-driven government-owned data sets on social infrastructure facilities for rural community development projects and impact monitoring and evaluation. Five frontline government institutions are the primary stakeholders of the EMMSDAG — Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, Local Government and Rural Development, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Office of the President, National Development Planning Commission and House of Parliament. These are to be connected on-line through wide area network for direct use of the data resources of the EMMSDAG Laboratory at the CERSGIS. The project should facilitate widespread use (by government and nongovernmental organizations, donors, investors and the private sector in general) of the GIS-driven socio-economic databases to be sustainably maintained by CERSGIS. It will be the primary task of CERSGIS to assist potential and real users in defining profitable/practical uses of the data for problem-searching/defining and problem-solving. The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) will be one of the expected users of the EMMSDAG’s data resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Russia, a Unified System of Emergency Response (RSER) one of the parts of which is Russia’s FAAE Branch System of Emergency Response has been created. To provide scientific and technical support for the tasks on evaluation of consequences for the environment and the population in case of crisis situation at NPP, in 1996 IBRAE RAS has established the Technical Support Centre (TSC) for the Crisis Centre (CC) of REA Concern. IBRAE RAS TSC is part of the system to render assistance to nuclear power plants in radiation hazardous situations. Since 1999 a united Technical Crisis Center (TCC) has been operating at IBRAE RAS on a twenty-four hour basis to support the Situation Crisis Center of FAEA (former Minatom) and crisis centers of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) and Rosenergoatom Concern. In recent years TCC experts have worked through a number of requests related to real incidents at nuclear-hazardous facilities throughout the world. Within the scope of everyday activity, the check-up of TSC workability is under way through exercises and trainings. The report represents the examples of practical approbation for the activity of FAAE and CC of REA Concern in their interaction with TSC during the exercises and actual incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will examine where uncertainty may lie in the knowledge discovery process through the use of case studies in disaster management, in turn leading to a discussion of what future action is required to address the uncertainty that may lie within knowledge obtained through these techniques. We describe our approach to address three types of issues: accuracy, efficiency, and usability. Typically, data mining techniques have higher false positive rates than traditional data exploratory methods, making them unusable in real-time systems. Also, these techniques tend to be inefficient (that is, computationally expensive) during the steps of a knowledge discovery process, particularly during training and evaluation. This prevents them from being able to process data and detect anomalies, hot-spots, or patterns in real-time applications. Finally, disaster management applications require large amount of training data and are significantly more complex than traditional GIS applications. These problems are inherent in developing and deploying any real-time data mining based system, and although there are trade-offs between these three groups of issues, each can generally be handled separately. The paper concludes by presenting the key design elements for supporting a real-time knowledge discovery process and group them into which general issues they address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accuracy and relevance are properties that are often mentioned in context with usability and quality of data. The use of GIS and mobile GI services in spatial planning and management requires accurate and relevant data. For usage of spatial data in time critical situations, e. g. disaster management, this is especially true. Decisions must be made in short terms, within hours or minutes. Such situations do not leave any time to evaluate whether the data used for decision making are “accurate” or “relevant”. This evaluation has to be done before. The use of inaccurate or irrelevant data, however, can lead to decisions that are inadequate or in the worst case harmful. Increasingly, spatial data are provided via the Internet, and through wireless connections. This is potentially a great chance for GI services in general, but especially for time critical, spatial decision making. An important question that arises is how accuracy and relevance of data can be evaluated, a difficult task taking into account that data come from various sources, are distributed over several servers, and provided by different data producers. Such an evaluation is important because users must have confidence in the data. They must be sure that they use information that is reliable and adequate in a given situation. This requires not only a syntactical control, but especially an understanding of the semantic content of information. The paper pursues these thoughts by investigating methods and techniques to search for specific spatial data sets and simultaneously evaluating the relevance of data. “Fitness for use” can be examined - to a certain extent - using metadata. But metadata have shortcomings as they describe a fixed number of properties not taking into account adequately data semantics. Ontologies - an approach propagated currently within the framework of the semantic web (Fensel 2004) - are aimed at the identification of relevant data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents and discusses an approach for web-based assessment and decision support using multi-criteria evaluation methodology to be integrated into an interoperable service infrastructure. The research is imbedded in the EU-funded BALANCE project, which tries to assess possible impact and vulnerability to climate change. The results will be incorporated into an Assessment and Decision Support System (ADSS) for the arctic, which shall raise awareness among stakeholders in the BALANCE study area about possible climate change impacts on their environment and way of live and support decisions concerning possible adaptation and mitigation strategies. The paper elucidates the concept of geoprocessing and service chaining with the help of a use case in the field of reindeer herding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic chaining of geographic information services (geo-services) is emerging as a viable framework for evolving flexible geo-information systems, integrating heterogeneous geographically dispersed geoinformation systems, and for providing on-demand access to geographic information in many application domains and location-based services. Alongside functionality, quality of service (QoS) is basic to successful chaining of dispaprate geo-services. This paper explores QoS provisioning in the context of geo-service chaining for disaster management. The paper presents a QoS model for disaster management and illustrates how userlevel QoS requirements can be supported in a QoS-aware geo-service architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]