Risk Mitigation Strategies

Recommended Prerequisites

Training in Risk Sciences, or in other disciplinary components related to the study cycle, may facilitate skills acquisition. The prior acquisition of investigative competences in risk sciences, natural sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences, economics and legal sciences is a differentiated element to acquire the curriculum proposals. Knowledge of English, particularly good reading, is essential.  

Teaching Methods

The work is organized in classroom sessions, with a brief exploratory presentation, using audiovisual and computer facilities, and subsequent collective discussion with students. Students have prior access to recommended bibliography for each session, organized in core and support bibliography. The thematic sessions will be marked by methodologies of critical discussion, exploring bibliographical references and case studies.

Learning Outcomes

The curricular unit is based on the concept that risks result from interactions between the environment and human activities (I). It is intended to promote critical thinking and competences that facilitate technical skills and tools acquisition to think spatial planning and risk management, explaining the theoretical concepts, assumptions and underlying political dimensions (II). There will be applied semi-quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify methods and safeguarding techniques, transfer and reducing impacts according to the type of risk (III).

It is expected that students acquire competences to use and apply knowledge and methods to propose and evaluate risk mitigation strategies and support decisions related to land use, location of facilities and equipment, among others, in order to improve communities’ resilience (IV). It encourages the evaluation capacity of multi-directional relationships and multiple repercussions (V).

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

To identify and analyze alternative options to risk mitigation and the implementation of intervention proposals and action in concrete case studies, its results and its flexibility for adjustments or resets (A). Sequential models, cyclic management models and the rational to use tools related to multi-level models. Various techniques can be used, such as analyzing the systemic and functional vulnerability mechanisms, potential domino and scenario analysis, among others (B). The concept of ALARP is developed and related individual and collective decision conditions. Definition of risk equipotential curves, and methods of interaction using risk assessment matrix (C). Relationship with risk admissibility and tolerability. Goals and methods to evaluate the mitigation efficiency measures associated with risk (D).

Head Lecturer(s)

Alexandre Manuel de Oliveira Soares Tavares

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Presentation and level of discussion : 30.0%
Report of a seminar or field trip: 30.0%
Synthesis work: 40.0%

Bibliography

Birkmann, J. et al. (2010). Extreme events and disasters: a window of opportunity for change? Analysis of organizational, institutional and political changes, formal and informal responses after mega-disasters. Nat Hazards 55: 637–655.

Godschalk, D.R et al. - Natural Hazard Mitigation: Recasting Disaster Policy and Planning. Island Press, Washington, 1999, p. 575.

GAO - Natural Hazard Mitigation. Report to the ranking Member Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives. US Government Accountability Office, Washington DC, 2007, p.69

IRGC (2005). Risk governance: Towards an integrative approach. White paper nº 1. Renn & Graham Annex. International Mechler, R. - Natural Disaster Risk and Cost-Benefit Analysis. In A. Kreimer et al. (eds). The Future of Disaster Risk: Building Safer Cities. World Bank, Washington DC, 2003, pp. 45-56

Risk Governance Council, IRGC, Geneve, 156p