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Abstract
Geospatial technologies can be used in many intervention stages, from adaptation to disaster relief, and also in disaster response situations. These technological tools have been shown to have a transformative power on the quality and efficacy of response efforts. This paper focuses on the risk reduction phase. This phase is a continuous endeavor aimed at increasing resilience. For example, in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, groups of remotely stationed volunteers remapped Haiti using satellite imagery. Forces on the ground used this imagery to print maps using OpenStreetMap (OSM). Using cell-phone text messages, Short Message Service (SMS) response forces were able to locate and rescue citizens. The Ushahidi platform and OSM created a new paradigm for disaster response in which residents take the lead in operations. Unfortunately, this was able to happen only after the disaster hit. The following paper suggests a roadmap for the integration of crowd-sourcing tools and geospatial collaboration for the disaster preparedness phase. This multitiered proposal connects proper planning processes that engage the community, reduce risk, and ultimately provide for a more resilient community. The paper also aims to take the new disaster response paradigm and use it in the urban planning process. Rather than being a separate process, the disaster preparedness phase should enhance and strengthen communities, resulting in their becoming stronger and more resilient.
Notes
1. Geospatial data are those data that are referenced to a location on or in relation to the surface of the earth. Geodata can be lumped into two main categories: vector (points, lines, and polygons usually used to represent continuous features) and raster, or grids. Raster data (elevation models, aerial photography, satellite imagery, etc.) is used to model continuous surfaces.
2. Such as GIS (geographic information systems) and RS (remote sensing).
3. The IPCC defines adaptation as the “adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment. Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Various types of adaptation can be distinguished, including anticipatory and reactive adaptation, private and public adaptation, and autonomous and planned adaptation” (http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg3/454.htm).
4. New York State Report Cards. https://reportcards.nysed.gov
5. CAPRA (Central American Probabilistic Risk Assessment). http://ecapra.org
6. European Umbrella Organization for Geographic Information. http://www.eurogi.org
7. Sistema Regional de Visualización y Monitoreo. www.servir.net
9. Both quotes are from Crisis Mappers’ Network Web page. http://crisismappers.net
10. At this resolution, it would be possible to identify tin roofs, classify roads, and perform other land use analysis.
11. To the author's knowledge, this has not been suggested in the literature.
12. This refers to temporary urban patterns such as structures or infrastructure. Temporariness is a symbol of poverty or of low investment due to high risk from either nature or government.