An increasing population and increasing climate extremes in the 21st century are placing significant pressures on nations worldwide. Natural disasters cause widespread disruption, costing the Australian economy $6.3 billion per year. These costs are projected to rise incrementally to $23 billion by 2050 [Australian Business Roundtable, 2013]. It is thus imperative to develop approaches and tools to increase resilience in communities which face these changes.
When faced with a natural hazard, resilient communities absorb stress through resistance or adaption, manage and maintain basic functions and can recover with specific behavioural strategies for risk reduction (Orencio and Fujuu, 2013).
Whilst a number of metrics, standards and indicators exist for gauging resilience, currently, no consensus exists on how to measure resilience (Béné, 2013).
When faced with a natural hazard, resilient communities absorb stress through resistance or adaption, manage and maintain basic functions and can recover with specific behavioural strategies for risk reduction (Orencio and Fujuu, 2013).
Whilst a number of metrics, standards and indicators exist for gauging resilience, currently, no consensus exists on how to measure resilience (Béné, 2013).
Our Aim
We have developed a modelling tool which may be used to measure and improve community resilience to natural hazards in Australia, and can be adapted for worldwide applications. This modelling tool is in the form of a quantitative composite index which aims to capture the relative resilience of a region to natural hazards. By developing this composite index, we aim to deepen knowledge of the factors which promote and inhibit resilience. Further, via improved understanding of these factors and the ability of this tool to contribute to large scale mapping, this tool may be used to identify vulnerabilities such that risks may be managed and resilience promoted.
|
-Rationale.
-The Composite Resilience Index. -Principles. |