Expressions of Interest are now open for new research that will help us understand the compounding impacts of natural hazards on our cities and urban systems.
Urban environments are exposed to multiple, compounding and cascading natural hazard risks that are being complicated by changes arising from climate change. Increasing our understanding of these risks and vulnerabilities is an important enabler for actioning urban resilience.
Part of the Centre's core research program, the new Natural hazards and resilience in complex urban systems project will help us better understand how to prepare urban environments and those who live there to build resilience against compounding natural hazards.
Expressions of Interest are open until 11:59pm AEDT on Monday 13 February 2023. EOIs must be prepared using the Centre's EOI submission form. An online webinar scheduled for 10am AEDT on Wednesday 25 January will provide a more detailed briefing of the project and the opportunity for interested parties to pose specific questions. Once completed, a recording of this webinar will be posted to the website to ensure all interested respondents have access to this information.
Find out more about this EOI, including the submission form, registration for the online project briefing webinar and any frequently asked questions, on the Natural hazards and resilience in complex urban systems project page.
The purpose of this project is to develop a strong evidence base to understand the complex interactions between communities, the built environment and natural hazard risks – to inform resilience.
It has three main objectives:
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To increase understanding within the emergency management sector of:
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multidimensional, compounding and cascading disaster impacts arising from natural hazard events for communities located in major urban areas in Australia
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the ways in which these impacts may change over time under the influence of climate change, rapid urbanisation and other factors to influence urban resilience.
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To develop guidance for local and state governments, emergency services and community organisations to conceptually map vulnerabilities and resilience within urban systems at local scales; and demonstrate its application with a proof of concept case study.
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To develop process principles and standards for use by local and state governments, emergency services and community organisations to effectively prioritise and influence urban resilience investment at local, state and federal levels; and monitor and evaluate the outcomes of investment decisions.
This project will lead to greater understanding within the emergency management sector of multidimensional, cascading, and compounding disaster impacts, vulnerabilities and resilience in major urban areas in Australia – including who is most at risk, how and why, and the ways in which these risk and impacts may change over time under the influence of climate change and other factors including rapid urbanisation and technological change. It will support local and state governments, emergency services and community organisations to conceptually map vulnerabilities and resilience within complex urban systems at relevant scales.
It will also lead to more effective decision making for risk reduction and urban resilience through, for example, urban planning, building standards, local program design and delivery, as well as increased capability to monitor and evaluate the outcome of those investment decisions.
Importantly, this project will inform the new urban resilience handbook that is planned for inclusion in the Australian Disaster Resilience Handbook Collection.