Showing papers on "Disaster recovery published in 2017"

Handbook of Disaster Research

Abstract: What Is a Disaster?.- A Heuristic Approach to Future Disasters and Crises: New, Old, and In-Between Types.- The Crisis Approach.- Methodological Issues.- The Role of Geographic Information Systems/Remote Sensing in Disaster Management.- Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Disasters.- Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Disaster Vulnerability.- Gender and Disaster: Foundations and Directions.- Globalization and Localization: An Economic Approach.- Local Emergency Management Organizations.- Community Processes: Warning and Evacuation.- Search and Rescue Activities in Disasters.- Community Processes: Coordination.- Sustainable Disaster Recovery: Operationalizing An Existing Agenda.- Sheltering and Housing Recovery Following Disaster*.- Businesses and Disasters: Vulnerability, Impacts, and Recovery.- Organizational Adaptation to Disaster.- Community Innovation and Disasters.- Disaster and Development Research and Practice: A Necessary Eclecticism?.- National Planning and Response: National Systems.- Disaster and Crisis Management in Transitional Societies: Commonalities and Peculiarities.- Terrorism as Disaster.- Recent Developments in U.S. Homeland Security Policies and Their Implications for the Management of Extreme Events.- Unwelcome Irritant or Useful Ally? The Mass Media in Emergencies.- The Popular Culture of Disaster: Exploring a New Dimension of Disaster Research.- Remembering: Community Commemoration After Disaster.- Research Applications in the Classroom.- From Research to Praxis: The Relevance of Disaster Research for Emergency Management.- Communicating Risk and Uncertainty: Science, Technology, and Disasters at the Crossroads.- Crisis Management in the Twenty-First Century: "Unthinkable" Events in "Inconceivable" Contexts.- New Dimensions: The Growth of a Market in Fear.- Disasters Ever More? Reducing U.S. Vulnerabilities.

Data-Driven Techniques in Disaster Information Management

Abstract: Improving disaster management and recovery techniques is one of national priorities given the huge toll caused by man-made and nature calamities. Data-driven disaster management aims at applying advanced data collection and analysis technologies to achieve more effective and responsive disaster management, and has undergone considerable progress in the last decade. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently no work that both summarizes recent progress and suggests future directions for this emerging research area. To remedy this situation, we provide a systematic treatment of the recent developments in data-driven disaster management. Specifically, we first present a general overview of the requirements and system architectures of disaster management systems and then summarize state-of-the-art data-driven techniques that have been applied on improving situation awareness as well as in addressing users’ information needs in disaster management. We also discuss and categorize general data-mining and machine-learning techniques in disaster management. Finally, we recommend several research directions for further investigations.

Towards a critical geography of disaster recovery politics: Perspectives on crisis and hope

Abstract: As disasters increasingly affect a greater proportion of the population with growing strength and frequency it is becoming even more important to comprehend how recovery from these events is mediated and managed by society. Emerging from several decades of concerted work on the social determinants of disaster, vulnerability and risk, research is now being established that underlies the importance of the politics and power in shaping the processes and outcomes of disaster recovery. In particular, there is a need to situate the central role of neoliberal capitalism in shaping the values and practices of reconstruction and recovery, particularly through engagements with crisis politics. At the same time, disasters may open up space for contestation and resistance that allows for alternative and transformative forms of recovery politics. In this paper I draw on geographies of crisis and hope to frame a theoretical perspective that encapsulates both the capitalist dynamics of disaster recovery and the radical potential of post capitalist politics for facilitating transformative action at the community scale.

Digitally enabled disaster response: the emergence of social media as boundary objects in a flooding disaster

Abstract: In recent times, social media has been increasingly playing a critical role in response actions following natural catastrophes. From facilitating the recruitment of volunteers during an earthquake to supporting emotional recovery after a hurricane, social media has demonstrated its power in serving as an effective disaster response platform. Based on a case study of Thailand flooding in 2011 - one of the worst flooding disasters in more than 50years that left the country severely impaired - this paper provides an in-depth understanding on the emergent roles of social media in disaster response. Employing the perspective of boundary object, we shed light on how different boundary spanning competences of social media emerged in practice to facilitate cross-boundary response actions during a disaster, with an aim to promote further research in this area. We conclude this paper with guidelines for response agencies and impacted communities to deploy social media for future disaster response.

Masters of Disasters? An Empirical Analysis of How Societies Benefit from Corporate Disaster Aid

Abstract: Corporations are increasingly influential within societies worldwide, while the relative capacity of national governments to meet large social needs has waned. Consequentially, firms face social pr...

VFR Travel: A Viable Market for Tourism Crisis and Disaster Recovery?

Abstract: Rebuilding tourist arrivals after crises/disasters is important. However, tourism may have negative impacts in terms of interfering with the destination recovery efforts, and adding distress to local residents. Therefore, consideration should be placed on timing tourism marketing as well as the market segments most suitable to target. This paper integrates both medical literature and tourism literature to consider whether Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel may be viable for destinations to consider after crises/disasters. The authors conclude that VFR travel offers both benefits and risks and recommends that only domestic VFR travellers are targeted to aid destination recovery. Future research avenues are also outlined.

The Importance of Social Capital in Building Community Resilience

Abstract: This chapter uses examples from a number of recent disasters to illuminate the ways that social capital serves as a critical part of resilience. Specifically the article looks at the response from the perspective of social networks to disaster in Bangkok, Thailand, the Tohoku region of Japan, and Christchurch in New Zealand. I introduce three types of social capital—bonding, bridging, and linking—and discuss the mechanism by which they are created and employed using concrete examples. In these cases social cohesion keeps people from leaving disaster-struck regions, allows for the easy mobilization of groups, and provides informal insurance when normal resource providers are not open. Social networks improve disaster recovery for local residents, communities, and the nation as well. Disasters are, and will continue to be, a challenge for both developed and developing countries everywhere. With this understanding in mind, it is important that communities build social capital in advance of disasters by communities as well as by planners and other decision makers. Preparing for disaster with an emphasis on physical infrastructural solutions, such as higher seawalls, raised floors, higher building standards, and so forth, is not sufficient to avoid the negative impact of disasters.

Developing indicators to measure post-disaster community recovery in the United States

Abstract: Disaster recovery is a key capability of federal, state, and local government. To support this capability effectively practitioners need useful and validated metrics to document how well a community is recovering from a particular disaster. This study developed and categorised recovery indicators according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Recovery Support Functions and Recovery Mission Area Core Capabilities through a literature review, an evaluation of the pre-disaster recovery plans for 87 coastal jurisdictions, and a case study of two communities (New Hanover County, North Carolina, and the City of Hoboken, New Jersey). Metrics identified in the literature were validated through the recovery plan review and the case study. The research team also identified sources for both baseline and current status data. Based on these findings, a user-friendly checklist for practitioners was established, which will be piloted with practice partners during a future disaster recovery initiative.

A review of game theory applications in natural disaster management research

Abstract: Research for efficiently planning and responding to natural disasters is of vital interest due to the devastating effects and losses caused by their occurrence, including economic deficiency, casualties, and infrastructure damage. Following the large breadth of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, we observe a growing use of game theoretic models in the research concerning natural disaster management. In these models, government agencies and private companies interact as players in a disaster relief game. Notable research in these areas has studied multi-player games and multi-agency collaboration, among others, to provide insights into optimal decisions concerning defensive investment and private–public partnerships in the face of disaster occurrence. This paper aims to increase the comprehension of game theory-based research in disaster management and to provide directions for future research. We analyze and integrate 57 recent papers (2006–2016) to summarize game theory-based research in natural disaster and emergency management. We find that the response phase of disaster relief has been researched most extensively, and future research could be directed toward the other phases of disaster management such as mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. Attacker–defender games to be utilized relatively frequently to model both mitigation and response for a disaster. Defensive resource allocation and sequential/simultaneous games to model the interaction between agencies/individuals in light of a disaster are two other common ways to model disaster management. In addition to academia, the targeted audience of this research includes governments, private sectors, private citizens, and others who are concerned with or involved in disaster management.

Disaster recovery cloud storage system construction method based on block chain technology

Abstract: The invention discloses a disaster recovery cloud storage system construction method based on a block chain technology. The block chain technology is introduced in a cloud storage system construction process. The characteristics of decentration and de-trust of the block chain technology are used to realize the distribution autonomy of storage nodes in a cloud storage system and data exchange and data sharing between the storage nodes based on a consensus algorithm. Compared with the current mainstream centralized cloud service system, the method has the advantages that network nodes can establish many-to-many rather than one-to-many contact relationship, which can greatly improve the transmission efficiency of data; and in the processes of data storage, exchange, upload and download, data block packaging and anonymous exchange and an asymmetric encryption algorithm are used, which greatly guarantees the safety and reliability of the entire ecological chain of data cloud storage. Compared with the current mainstream centralized cloud service system, the method provided by the invention has the advantages that on the basis of improved data safety, the operation efficiency of the system is greatly improved, and the operating cost of a cloud storage service is reduced.

Exploring suitability of cloud computing for small and medium-sized enterprises in India

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the suitability of cloud computing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. Design/methodology/approach Literature review is used to identify benefits, challenges, and factors concerning usage and adoption of cloud computing by SMEs. A conceptual framework was developed based on the existing theoretical models and factors identified from the literature. A survey based on questionnaire method was followed to collect data from 121 manufacturing SMEs in India. The conceptual framework was refined by using factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Major benefits of cloud computing for SMEs include cost advantage, easy deployment process, easier access to latest information and communication technologies, automatic updates and upgrades, scalability, flexibility, and improved disaster recovery and back-up capabilities. The concern area includes perceived loss of control, vendor lock-in, security issues, reliability and availability issues, and internet connectivity and speed. The factors that are found significant include perceived benefits, top management support, competitive pressure, and perceived concerns. The model explained 73 percent of cloud computing adoption. Research limitations/implications The study is expected to make significant contribution toward body of knowledge pertaining to information technology adoption in SMEs. Practical implications The study is expected to provide SMEs an insight into real benefits and challenges associated with adopting cloud computing. The model can help SMEs in evaluating their readiness for adopting cloud computing and can ensure successful outcome of cloud computing adoption in SMEs. Providers are also going to be benefited through their enhanced understanding of SMEs’ requirements. Originality/value The proposed framework incorporates all the relevant factors including perceived benefits, perceived concerns, and other organizational and environmental factors to improve model’s predictive power.

The Affluence–Vulnerability Interface: Intersecting scales of risk, privilege and disaster

Abstract: This paper examines vulnerability in the context of affluence and privilege. It focuses on the 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm in California, USA to examine long-term lived experiences of the disaster...

Photo crowdsourcing for area coverage in resource constrained environments

Abstract: Photos crowdsourced from mobile devices can be used in many applications such as disaster recovery to obtain information about a target area. However, such applications often have resource constraints in terms of bandwidth, storage, and processing capability, which limit the number of photos that can be crowdsourced. Thus, it is a challenge to use the limited resources to crowdsource photos that best cover the target area. In this paper, we leverage various geographical and geometrical information about photos, called metadata, to address this challenge. Metadata includes the location, orientation, field of view, and range of a camera. Based on metadata, we define photo utility to measure how well a target area is covered by a set of photos. We propose various techniques to analyze such coverage and calculate photo utility accurately and efficiently. We also study the problem of selecting photos with the largest utility under a resource budget, and propose an efficient algorithm that achieves constant approximation ratio. With our design, the crowdsourcing server can select photos based on metadata instead of real images, and thus use the limited resources to crowdsource the most useful photos. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our design.

TeamPhone: Networking SmartPhones for Disaster Recovery

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate how to network smartphones for providing communications in disaster recovery. By bridging the gaps among different kinds of wireless networks, we have designed and implemented a system called TeamPhone, which provides smartphones the capabilities of communications in disaster recovery. Specifically, TeamPhone consists of two components: A messaging system and a self-rescue system. The messaging system integrates cellular networking, ad-hoc networking, and opportunistic networking seamlessly, and enables communications among rescue workers. The self-rescue system groups, schedules, and positions the smartphones of trapped survivors. Such a group of smartphones can cooperatively wake up and send out emergency messages in an energy-efficient manner with their location and position information so as to assist rescue operations. We have implemented TeamPhone as a prototype application on the Android platform and deployed it on off-the-shelf smartphones. Experimental results demonstrate that TeamPhone can properly fulfill communication requirements and greatly facilitate rescue operations in disaster recovery.

Inter-organizational resource coordination in post-disaster infrastructure recovery

Abstract: Despite significant advances in strengthening post-disaster recovery efforts, misaligned strategy and inefficient resource allocation are far too often the norm for infrastructure reconstruction To examine the inter-organizational networks that form to coordinate resources for infrastructure reconstruction, we employed social network analysis in 19 communities in the Philippines following Super Typhoon Haiyan, at 6 and 12 months post-disaster To build these networks, we analysed interview, field observation and documentation data collected from non-governmental organizations, local governments and communities A survey questionnaire was also administered to organizations working in selected communities to validate networks Results from network analysis established that information was the most commonly shared resource by organizations, followed by financial, material and human resources Government agencies had the highest actor centralities; however, qualitative data suggest that these roles w

Post-disaster tourism: Towards a tourism of transition

Abstract: ‘Disaster tourism’ is usually conflated with ‘dark tourism’ and also is often linked with disaster recovery. This article contributes to discussion on these relationships by examining the post-disa...

Disasters as opportunity for change: Tsunami recovery and energy transition in Japan

Abstract: Disasters may offer a window of opportunity, in which extraordinary circumstances create momentum for positive social change. While this potential is popularized through the concept of “building back better,” few studies have examined quantitatively the processes and drivers of broader social change in a post-disaster context. Using renewable energy transition (specifically, solar photovoltaic diffusion) as one measure of building back better, this study explores how pre-and post- disaster contexts, capacities, and policies affected recovery outcomes of 30 coastal communities nearly 5 years following the Great East Japan earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster (Tohoku disaster). Our study shows that the disaster-affected communities adopted significantly more solar power than the rest of Japan following the introduction of the country's Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) system in 2012. The communities examined are highly diverse in their solar energy adoption as of 2015, and regression analysis was conducted to explain differences in overall solar energy diffusion as well as in adoption of very large scale mega-solar projects. The dynamic relationship between physical damage and subsequent solar adoption was found to be nonlinear, as was the relationship between degree of household relocation and solar energy adoption. Differences in communities’ mega-solar adoption were also explained by the variability in hazard zone designation and extent of physical damage. These findings suggest that a disaster may serve as an opportunity for positive community change when immediate impact (or the level of change involved in a reconstruction process) is high enough but not overwhelming. Overall, this study finds potentially complex relationships.

Using big data to enhance crisis response and disaster resilience for a smart city

Abstract: High population growth, urbanization, and global climate change drive up the frequency of disasters, causing grave losses of people's lives and property worldwide. Additionally, globalization, technological development, and the changing roles of individuals in society will require entirely new approaches, tools, and capabilities to help inform decision making under uncertain conditions. However, the mismatch between the high disaster vulnerability and the low crisis response and disaster resilience becomes a critical problem for emergency management. Recent years, key advances in computing — smartphones, worldwide mobile internet access, social media and industrial big data have all contributed to break through barriers of information exchange which help disaster managers working on data-driven solutions to disaster management problems. Based on big data, the emergency managers can identify and assesse risk through critical infrastructure operating data or sensor data, and then predict the affected population through smartphone data or social media data, and finally provide an operation plan for establishing the target capabilities for a community to response to the crisis. Also, big data plays a part in providing real-time clues of on-site disaster information through data mining. Based on the analyzed real-time disaster information, the research creates real-time feedback loops on nature disaster to help the decision-makers make the real-time update, precision and dynamic rescue plan. In combination, big data can help in all four phases of disaster management: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery, and can also help us take actions to improve our city's resilience to disasters.

Phoenix tourism within dark tourism: Rebirth, rebuilding and rebranding of tourist destinations following disasters

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the knowledge gap in the field of dark tourism by understanding the phenomena of phoenix tourism, which focuses on the transformation and rebirth of places following death and disasters. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on existing theoretical understanding of dark tourism and disaster recovery to explore destination image recovery within the tourism industry. It uses phoenix tourism as a lens to understand the social, cultural and economic context of post-disaster tourism destination recovery and rebranding in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Findings A presentation of post-disaster strategies and recommendations are given with attention to the re-branding of images once associated with death and darkness to enhance a destination’s resilience. Practical Implications For local policymakers, tourism leaders, researchers and community developers, this research describes strategies that facilitate rebranding dark tourism sites, such as areas of rebirth or “phoenix tourism”, to enhance destination recovery image and to promote a more disaster- and risk-resilient tourism industry. Originality/value This paper bridges the knowledge gap by defining and contributing to the theoretical understanding of phoenix tourism as it identifies the what, how and why elements of the phenomena of phoenix tourism. Furthermore, the authors propose how to overcome negative destination images to preserve, present or redefine an image of a tourist destination “overcoming”, and eventual “rebirth” serves to re-calibrate resilience of the tourism industry and regional redevelopment.

Households’ experience of local government during recovery from cyclones in coastal Bangladesh: resilience, equity, and corruption

Abstract: Households’ links with local Government provide important support for disaster resilience and recovery on the Bangladeshi coast. Few previous studies of disaster resilience and recovery have explored how linking social networks—and in particular local government—contribute. Using household surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews, we examine strengths and weaknesses of local government’s contribution, using two cyclone-affected coastal villages as case studies. The findings show that local government provides important support, for example relief distribution, livelihood assistance, and reconstruction of major community services. However, patronage relationships (notably favouring political supporters) and bribery play a substantial role in how those responsibilities are discharged. The equity and efficiency of these contributions to recovery are markedly diminished by corruption. Reducing corruption in UP’s contributions to disaster recovery could significantly improve resilience; however, general reform of governance in Bangladesh would needed to bring this about.

Understanding youth disaster recovery: The vital role of people, places, and activities

Abstract: As disasters escalate in frequency and severity, children and youth are among those most at risk for resulting adverse psychological, social, health, and educational effects. Although there is growing interest in the vulnerabilities and capacities of youth who have experienced disaster, research focusing on their lived experiences during the recovery period remains sparse. In response to this knowledge gap, youth between the ages of 13–22 were invited to participate in workshops spanning one to four days, where they used art, music, photography, videography, and other means to articulate their experiences of post-disaster recovery. The research took place in four disaster-affected communities in the United States and Canada, including Joplin, Slave Lake, Calgary, and High River. Youth stories revealed key people, places, and activities that supported their recovery, and the mechanisms through which those supports had a positive impact. Examining youth perspectives is important to concretize and contextualize theories of disaster recovery.

Integrating the Social Vulnerability of Host Communities and the Objective Functions of Associated Stakeholders during Disaster Recovery Processes Using Agent-Based Modeling

Abstract: Disaster recovery requires the participation of the stakeholders to repair the impacted community. Nevertheless, disaster recovery remains understudied within the context of emergency manag...

Social inequality and marginalization in post-disaster recovery: Challenging the consensus?

Abstract: Disasters and subsequent recovery efforts often reinforce social inequality and marginalization, hampering sustainable development paths. This paper presents an analysis of inequality and marginalization effects of post-disaster reconstruction from a risk governance perspective. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examine the Fischerdorf and Natternberg districts of the German city of Deggendorf, severely affected by the 2013 floods in Europe. The findings show that social inequality and marginalization affected housing reconstruction (and vice versa) in unexpected ways. Uninsured groups (such as the elderly and migrant homeowners) received prompt, ad-hoc support from state and civil society actors, while insured homeowners (mostly higher-income groups) experienced ongoing disputes between state and market actors that hampered their recovery. Some marginalized groups could not access state support, as various aspects of cultural diversity were not adequately considered. This fostered, and created new, patterns of inequality and risk. The ad-hoc engagement of civil society was crucial, but insufficient, to fully buffer the effects of inequality and marginalization resulting from formal recovery processes. We conclude that it is critical to give more attention to the interplay, and power constellations, between state, market and civil society actors to facilitate sustainable recovery and development – by counteracting potential inequality and marginalization effects. Increased consideration of cultural diversity and the support of citizens who play dual roles (and can mediate between different actors) was identified to be vital in this context. We thus call for increased research into the issue of complementary city–citizen rights and responsibilities in risk reduction and adaptation planning.