Urban Comprehensive Disaster Risk combined Evaluation Model based on Cyclic Correction Mode

Xia Chen-hong, Wang Wei and Ma Dong-hui

Page No. 1-9

In view of the difficult problems in the complex factors of urban comprehensive disaster risk assessment and the inconsistency of the single method evaluation results, the evaluation index system of urban comprehensive disaster risk is constructed based on the criteria of disaster risk, social economic vulnerability and fortification level. The idea of combination evaluation is instructed using the four combinations of Mean method, Borda method, Compeland method and Fuzzy Borda method to evaluate the different results of the three evaluation methods: fuzzy number stochastic simulation method (FSS), weighted summation method (WSM) and set pair analysis method (SPA).

The Spearman rank correlation coefficient is used as the test standard and repeated iteration, then a comprehensive risk assessment model of urban comprehensive disaster based on cyclic revision mode is established and the comprehensive disaster risk level ranking and grade division of 31 cities, municipalities and autonomous regions in China were given. It provides a theoretical and practical basis for the in-depth identification of urban comprehensive disaster risk levels.

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Climate Change and Twitter – An Empirical Analysis of Environmental Awareness and Engagement

Kaila Rajesh Prabhakar

Page No. 10-15

Climate change is widely discussed with frequent conversations and discussions on the twitter handle #climatechange. Tweets are related to awareness of climate change among general public and active engagement of public in mitigating the climate change risk. The study focused on how relevant the discussions are related to climate change and its impact and type of engagement of public on twitter. Tweets are analysed using sentiment analysis that highlighted various sentiments related to climate change, frequency analysis on key word meta data and finally topic modelling using Laten Dirichlet Allocation used to identify the abstract topics and their relation to climate change topic.

The study concludes that the awareness and engagement related to climate change are relevant, but still need further active engagement and increased awareness.

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Resilience and Coping when encountering a Disaster Situation among Victims of Beach Erosion in Kuala Nerus District

Jasmi Abu Talib, Jaharudin Padli, Kamarul M.S., Zakaria Mohamad and Ahamad Jusoh

Page No. 16-24

Malaysia is among the countries surrounded by coastal areas that are vulnerable to various natural phenomena and threats such as beach erosion. Beach erosion affects not only the beach and the development of ecosystems but also the well-being of humans living in their vicinity. This study aimed to evaluate the resilience of and coping among victims of beach erosion in the Kuala Nerus district. 386 Kuala Nerus residents were chosen and interviewed from a questionnaire.

Levels of resilience and coping among the respondents were spread across very good, good, moderate, or poor and none of the respondents belonged to the very poor level. Some measures to better prepare residents of Kuala Nerus to survive future beach erosion are proposed.

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Structure from motion (SfM) technique to supportland cover mapping

Aditya Saputra, Mukhlis Akbar, Andre Seno Permadi, Bruce Maldy Pratama and Rudiyanto

Page No. 25-33

Land-cover and land-use data have decisive role in urban mapping and modelling. However, the approachability of high resolution and detail land-cover and land-use data have been often difficult. Furthermore, the variation of spatial and temporal of observation coverage has been often challenging to make the study more low-cost and effective. Nowadays, the advanced remote sensing technologies can outgrow many of these limitations.

The recent development of remote sensing based on small format unmanned drone can produce a detail scale of land cover and land-use data in urban area. The drone technology is actually a simple system, relatively cheap, effective and well-timed technique in generating high resolution aerial photographs of particular area. Drone mapping provides rapid process of data acquisition both in pre-processing (drone and camera setting) and post processing workflow including the digital surface model (DSM) generation using structure from motion (SfM) technique. Finally, by applying object-based image analysis (OBIA), the accurate land-cover data can be achieved. Further, this data can be used to support urban planning, modelling and risk assessment essential for regional development.

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Investigation of Climate Change Knowledge for Young Generation: A Case Study in Klaten Regency, Indonesia

Nanda Khoirunisa and Siti Azizah Susilawati

Page No. 34-40

Climate change greatly affects the occurrence of hydrometeorological disasters, especially in Indonesia. The knowledge of climate change is crucial for young generation as Indonesia is a prone country to climate change phenomenon. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge for middle-level student on climate change. A 20-items structured questionnaire is developed from seven indicators for climate change knowledge data collection. The questionnaire items are validated and the Cronbach Alpha method is used to determine the consistency of questionnaire items. Validation tests on instruments show the value of rcount>0.432 which is the interval between 0.461-0.92.

Meanwhile, the Cronbach Alpha value is 0.926>0.432. Finally, the questionnaire can declare reliable or feasible to use. The results showed the level of knowledge for middle-level student included in the category of medium with the average index value is 64. However, some indicators of climate change knowledge for young generation still show low average values and indicate the importance of improving the knowledge of climate change in school.

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Factors contributing to Flood Resilience among Rural Community: Case Study of the East Coast of Malaysia

Omar Chong N. and Kamarudin K.H.

Page No. 41-49

From the spatial planning context, the National Rural Physical Policy (NRPP) 2030 indicated that almost 31% villages nationwide are identified as disaster risk villages. Based on Government of Malaysia records of more than 89 years, flood remains as the highest contributor to damage and economic losses in comparison to other disasters. This study is intended to assess internal and external factors that contributed to rural community resilience towards disaster particularly flood in relation to the context of disaster resilience concept and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Three case study areas have been selected for household surveys including (1) Lubok Setol village in Kelantan state; (2) Teladas village in Terengganu state and (3) Gajah Mati village in Pahang state.

Using stratified random sampling for questionnaire distribution, the household survey received feedbacks from a total of 90 respondents. Results showed that community resilience to flood in all three villages is strongly contributed from respondent’s adoption of local knowledge combined with intervention and support from related government agencies as well as from non-governmental organisations and respondents which happen to be the disaster victims did indicate their ability to 'bounce back' after the disaster, indicating a positive act of resilient to disaster. Conclusion is drawn from the data analysis to prove that both the internal and external factors significantly contributed towards rural community resilient to disaster particularly flood.

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Performance based Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Piers as per LRFD and DDBD Guidelines

Maity Utpal, Hait Pritam and Choudhury Satyabrata

Page No. 50-60

Researchers have focused interest on the displacement -based design (DBD) methods as they are more reliable, economical and easily executable since last two decades. Two displacement-based methodologies for the design of reinforced concrete bridges are compared in this study, namely (i) The direct displacement-based design (DDBD) method by Priestley et al14 and (ii)The AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design method28.

Following a description of relevant steps and design criteria involved in these approaches, a comparative evaluation is sought by applying the two methods in a 4-span continuous-deck symmetric bridge with single-column pier of different height. Using DDBD, the longitudinal design for Fixed head and Pinned head connection of the modeled bridge is presented. A comparative study has been carried out between two DBD methods considering the superstructure as torsionally flexible.

The maximum deformation at the critical pier is calculated evaluating the performance of the bridge piers under a spectral compatible ground motion (SCGM). Obtained results were analyzed and discussed to implement the methods for the seismic bridge pier design.

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A Review on the Bhuj Earthquake in 2001 and its impact on the Socio-Economic Lives of People in Gujarat

Dutta Subhankar and Mukherjee Diganta

Page No. 61-66

On 26th January 2001, a strong magnitude based (approximately, 7.9 Richter scale) earthquake had shattered Gujarat, the Western state of India. Historically, this natural disaster was considered as one of the devastating earthquakes ever happened in the country. The epicenter of the earthquake was found at Bhuj in Gujarat. The earthquake had resulted in a massive impact on the socio-economic lives of people in the affected areas. According to the official record, about 14,000 people were dead due to this natural disaster. Further, over 150,000 people had faced severe injuries. Millions of people had lost their houses and physical assets for the same.

Post-earthquake incident, Government of India and Gujarat State Government had taken up various rehabilitation and reconstruction programs including re-establishment of houses, construction of public buildings and carrying out necessary infrastructure facilities in the roads and irrigation sections. Above all, the Gujarat earthquake in 2001 had provided an opportunity to assess the overall disaster management system in the country. In order to minimize the impact of earthquake in future, some early preparedness measurements are needed to be implemented. Also, it may be helpful to have appropriate post-disaster management programs for combating the critical situation efficiently.

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