@article {bnh-8363, title = {Indigenous-informed disaster recovery: Addressing collective trauma using a healing framework}, journal = {Progress in Disaster Science}, volume = {16}, year = {2022}, month = {12/2022}, abstract = {

Indigenous knowledges are increasingly recognised for their value in disaster resilience, with particular attention to\ traditional ecological knowledges. Yet the expansive and holistic\ worldviews\ of Indigenous peoples offer an even broader set of knowledges and perspectives, such as the field of Indigenous healing, that are highly relevant to systemic challenges in disaster resilience and recovery. This theoretical paper explores the potential for an Indigenous-informed healing framework to address collective trauma from disasters. It begins by addressing key matters of concern in knowledge sharing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. It then considers Indigenous healing as an international field of knowledge and practice, distilling consistent features across a range of texts. These shared features in Indigenous peoples{\textquoteright} healing traditions include: holistic approaches to wellbeing; social rather than solo processes; identifying and treating the roots of trauma; strengths-based and community-led processes; the need for socially and culturally safe spaces; and Indigenous notions of responsibility, justice and forgiveness. We then analyse points of difference and resonance with disaster recovery literature, in a novel effort to bring the fields of Indigenous healing and disaster recovery together through respectful and thoughtful dialogue. In doing so, this paper seeks to inform much-needed efforts to enhance culturally responsive practices in working with Indigenous peoples affected by disasters. The exploration also identifies that a healing-informed approach to disaster recovery offers opportunities to better support all communities affected by disasters, by unsettling assumptions and enabling holistic understandings of complex interactions between multiple disasters, community contexts and systemic inequities. To meet the many challenges facing the sector now and into the future, innovations fostered by such cross-disciplinary explorations are crucial.

}, keywords = {disaster, Healing, indigenous, recovery, resilience, Trauma}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2022.100257}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590061722000448}, author = {Phoebe Quinn and Bhiamie Williamson and Lisa Gibbs} } @article {bnh-8276, title = {Assessing community resilience for emergencies in local government policy: summary}, number = {618}, year = {2021}, month = {10/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Yarra Ranges Council, Maroondah City Council and the Knox City Council partnered with the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre to evaluate Maroondah and Knox policies to see where and how they align with and incorporate resilience. The Assessing community resilience for emergencies in local government policy (ACRE) project also highlighted some strategic issues that are potentially relevant for local government and disaster resilience policy more broadly.

All levels of the Australian Government adopted the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience in 2011 (NSDR) and its implementation is ongoing. The NSDR aims to shift national policy away from the traditional focus on disaster response toward planning and prevention to reduce the risk of natural disasters and the severity of their consequences. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework was launched in 2020 and builds on the NSDR and references resilience.

Not only that, but a resilience-based approach will improve the {\textquoteleft}capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems within a city to survive, adapt and grow not matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience{\textquoteright} (Mulligan et al, 2016). Local government is a key partner in achieving these goals because of its proximity to the community and the array of assets, services and programs it manages that are vital to the well-being of local communities. Local councils also have a legal responsibility to develop and maintain and review policies in critical areas, including for disasters and other emergencies. This provides opportunities to build the resilience of communities by pivoting local government policies and programs toward approaches that are proven to support resilience. In order to do this, Maroondah and Knox City Councils sought, as a first step, to better understand how their existing policies are compatible with resilience, the extent to which resilience was incorporated in policies and what areas can be improved.\ 

}, keywords = {community, council, emergencies, Local government, Policy, resilience}, issn = {618}, author = {Susan Hunt} } @article {bnh-8259, title = {Assessing community resilience for emergencies in local government policy - Maroondah City Council and Knox City Council}, number = {617}, year = {2021}, month = {10/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Exposure to hazards may result in emergencies or disasters that have the potential to overwhelm the capacity of communities to respond and recover effectively. In terms of natural hazards, an increase in the incidence of extreme weather events linked to climate change is expected to result in greater disaster losses in the future. Resilience-based approaches have been adopted in Australia and overseas to deal with this problem.

Resilience is a term that is used across multiple disciplines, including in the physical and material sciences, psychology, ecology, environmental science and more recently, in emergency and disaster management (Alexander, D.E. 2013). Therefore, it has many definitions, several of which reflect its significance as the guiding principle for emergency and disaster management in Australia,

{\textquoteleft}Resilience is the ability of system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through risk management{\textquoteright} (United Nations Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2019), or

The definition developed for the 100 Resilient Cities Project in Melbourne:

{\textquoteleft}Resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems within a city to survive, adapt and grown no matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience{\textquoteright} (Mulligan et al, 2016, p.10).

A definition of resilience has also been developed as part of the Australian Disaster Resilience Index (ADRI) project:

{\textquoteleft}Resilience is the capacity of communities to prepare for, absorb and recover from natural hazard events and to learn, adapt and transform in ways that enhance these capacities in the face of future events{\textquoteright} (Parsons, 2016 p.6).

The National Strategy for Disaster Resilience was adopted in 2011 by all levels of Australian Government (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011). This marked a policy shift away from an emphasis on dealing with the aftermath of disasters toward a stronger focus on disaster preparation and planning, and the reduction and management of hazards. In 2018, a National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (NDRRF)[i] (Commmonwealth of Australia, 2018) was introduced to guide disaster risk reduction activities for greater resilience. Importantly, the NDRRF deals with the increasing problem of disasters by considering the whole system and its interdependencies.\  In doing so it incorporates sustainability and climate change adaptation goals.

While State Governments play the major role in emergency management, the hazards, risks and the nature and severity of disaster impacts vary according to highly localised social, economic and environmental factors (Cutter et al, 2008). The adverse impacts from natural disasters that are invariably experienced at the local level may be sustained for many years afterwards. Local Government is the level of government that is closest to the community and, as such, it maintains a long-term commitment to managing local issues associated with emergencies and disasters. This role is integrally linked to local government{\textquoteright}s broader responsibility for the planning and provision of the majority of services and infrastructure in their constituent communities.\  There are 597 local government areas in Australia (Australian Local Government Association, 2020) with 79 in Victoria (Victorian Local Government Association, 2020.) Therefore, the services provided by local government and the policies and plans that shape them have a profound influence on the quality of life and the wellbeing of the Australian population as a whole. Local government is in a unique position to strengthen community resilience for emergencies, both through its local emergency management policies and plans and also, and perhaps more pervasively, through opportunities to positively influence the determinants of resilience through its broad range of council policies and plans.

In order to explore some of these opportunities, Yarra Ranges Council and the Maroondah and Knox City Councils asked the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (BNHCRC) to evaluate their policies in terms of resilience. They were seeking answers to the question: To what extent do our council policies support resilience for emergencies or disasters? This project, titled Assessing Community Resilience for Emergencies in Local Government Policies (ACRE) was developed to examine the alignment between existing local government policies and the characteristics that enable community resilience. Maroondah and Knox City Councils were chosen as case studies. As a starting-point, councils were interested in evaluating their policies in relation to the Community Reslience Framework for Emergency Management (Emergency Management Victoria, 2017), developed by the Victorian State Government.

The idea that social resilience is intrinsic to resilience for emergencies or disasters is a central message in the Community Resilience Framework for Emergency Management (ibid). It provides policy guidance to encourage local government to embed resilience into its everyday activities, not only to improve the general health, wellbeing and prosperity of their communities, but as a way of highlighting how local communities can play their part in improving their ability to plan, prepare for, and to withstand and recover from adverse events.

In order to explore their full potential for strengthening resilience, councils also sought to evaluate their policies more broadly. The two councils{\textquoteright} policies were assessed against resilience information found in the academic literature. This research complements the Community Resilience Framework for Emergency Management (ibid) and adds to the body of evidence about local government{\textquoteright}s existing contribution and inherent potential to enhance community resilience for emergencies.

}, keywords = {community, council, emergencies, Local government, Policy, resilience}, issn = {617}, author = {Susan Hunt} } @article {bnh-8016, title = {Enhancing resilience of critical road structures: bridges, culvers and floodways under natural hazards {\textendash} final project report}, number = {671}, year = {2021}, month = {05/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {MELBOURNE}, abstract = {

Bridges, culverts and floodways are lifeline road structures and part of road networks, which have a significant role in ensuring resilience of a community before, during and after a natural disaster. Historical data demonstrates that the failure of road structures can have catastrophic consequences on a community affected by disaster due to the impact on evacuation and post disaster recovery.\  The main objective of the project is to understand the vulnerability of critical road structures: bridges, culverts and floodways under natural hazards of flood, bush fire and earthquakes. Once the level of vulnerability is established, the evaluation of importance of the structures for prioritization for hardening is important for decision making by road authorities.

The project funded by the BNH CRC addressed the above gap in knowledge through a comprehensive research program undertaken in collaboration with three research partners and six end user partners. In the first stage of the project, major failure scenarios and the consequences of failure were identified as a precursor for a focused research program on vulnerability modelling and prioritization of road structures under natural hazards. The research conducted included assessment of vulnerability of road bridges under flood, bush fire and earthquakes and floodways and culverts under flood. Further, three approaches were used to identify the consequences of failure of road structures under natural hazards: economic impact on the closure of structures on the community, prioritization of structures using analytical techniques and post disaster social, economic and environmental impacts of failure of road structures.

Major findings of the research include identification of the levels of hazard exposure which could lead to failure of structures and the other parameters affecting failure. Further, methods of modeling road structures under different loading regimes has been developed with case studies of typical structures. New design approaches for building back better have been proposed for floodway structures based on parametric analysis of typical types of floodways.

Major findings of the analysis of bridges under flood loading include (a) the current design process in the design standards for log and object impact are unconservative and rigorous analysis is recommended (b) when the flood velocity is over 4 m/s and the flood level reaches the soffit of the bridge deck, the failure probability of the bridge decks are very high. (c) particle size near the bridge pier foundations have a significant impact on the scour of bridge piers and placement of irregular shaped crushed rock at river-bed level can reduce the scour failure. Research conducted on impact of bush fires on composite structures indicated that the shear failure of the web of the girders is the major failure mode. Under earthquake loading, a major finding is that in the areas where peak ground acceleration is over 0.08g, girder bridges could have a high failure probability and a risk mitigation strategy is essential.

Three different tools are developed for determining the impact of failure of road structures considering economic as well as social, environmental and economic impacts.

A major utilisation outcome of the project is a resilient floodway design guide, published in collaboration with the Institution of Public Works Engineers Australia (Qld) (IPWEAQ). A utilisation project is currently in progress jointly funded by the IPWEAQ and BNH CRC. The guide has been reviewed by the IPWEAQ and is currently being revised by the researchers to enable uptake by local council Engineers. An asset management and vulnerability modeling tool for bridges has been developed for the DoT Victoria (formerly known as VicRoads) where the bridges prone to significant damage are highlighted in a GIS map of the road network.

There are two different models developed to evaluate the consequences of the failure of road structures: first considering economic impact of detour required and a second model capturing post disaster social environmental and economic impact of failure of road structures. The first tool has been incorporated into the vulnerability modeling GIS platform developed for \ the DoT, Victoria.

In addition to the above deliverables in the BNH CRC project, two subsidiary projects were undertaken to understand the effect of cyclonic events on bridge structures and also resilience of timber bridges under natural disasters.

The research team is working with the end users to socialize the vulnerability modeling and decision-making tools developed to enable optimized decision making to enhance resilience of road structures under natural hazards. This is currently being continued with direct funding from the DoT, Victoria.

}, keywords = {Bridge, critical, culvert, enhancing, Floodway, Natural hazards, resilience, road, structure}, issn = {671}, author = {Sujeeva Setunge and Priyan Mendis and Karu Karunasena and Kevin Zhang and Dilanthi Amaratunga and Weena Lokuge and Nilupa Herath and Long Shi and Hessam Mohseni and Huu Tran and Kanishka Atapattu} } @article {bnh-7922, title = {Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events - final project report}, number = {656}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This BNHCRC project titled:\  Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events prescribes practical structural retrofits that will make improvements to the performance of Pre-80s (Legacy) houses in windstorms as well as measures to reduce damage and loss to contemporary houses.

Damage investigations carried out by the Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) following severe windstorms have typically shown that houses built prior to the mid-1980s in Australia perform worse than houses constructed to contemporary building standards, during windstorms. Given that these older houses are a significant proportion of the housing stock, practical structural upgrading based on the latest research may improve performance of housing and the economic and social wellbeing of a community.

Some details for structural retrofitting currently exist, but their uptake is limited, and there is also evidence that these are not carried out when houses require repairs following severe storms. Therefore, the issues of retrofitting legacy housing, including feasibility and benefit-cost are analysed in this project.

The primary objective of this study was to identify vulnerable legacy house types across Australia and develop cost-effective retrofits for mitigating damage during windstorms. These evidence-based strategies will (a) aid policy formulation and decision making by Government and industry, and (b) provide guidelines detailing various options and benefits to homeowners and the industry for retrofitting typical at-risk houses in Australia. The main aims were to:

This report presents an overview of the research approach used for this project including the selection of house types, the development of the VAWS software and the Internet-based guidelines. A case study is presented of the vulnerability and benefit cost assessment of one of the selected house types, with the complete set of results presented in the Appendices. These results show that tile roofed houses in cyclonic regions of Australia benefit the most from retrofitting for severe wind events. The benefit-cost ratios for these tile roof houses and other house types are expected to improve when accounting for intangible costs, which are currently not included in the analyses presented in this report. In addition, examples of the impacts and utilisation of this project including the Queensland Government Housing Resilience Program are also presented.

}, keywords = {cyclone, events, existing housing, resilience, severe, wind}, issn = {656}, author = {John Ginger and Korah Parackal and David Henderson and Martin Wehner and Hyeuk Ryu and Mark Edwards} } @article {bnh-8013, title = {A method for assessing building codes for natural hazard resilience}, number = {612}, year = {2021}, month = {05/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Building codes regulate the design and materials of structures in the built environment, often in parallel with related processes such as land use planning. Building codes establish a standard of certainty that structures achieve pre-established levels of safety and health. In parallel, building codes are potentially able to contribute to natural hazard resilience, although ongoing improvements are needed to account for a variety of emerging challenges and insights from new research.

This summary outlines a generalised method to assess building codes, their application in New South Wales, and related mechanisms in terms of their contribution to natural hazard resilience, identifying areas for improvement and further research. It ensures that methods used and findings are reported in language and formats easily accessible by a wider audience of emergency management, land use planning and design practitioners.

}, keywords = {assessing, building, codes, method, natural hazard, nsw, resilience}, issn = {612}, author = {Alan March and Crystal Legacy and Georgia Warren-Myers and Leonardo Nogueira de Moraes} } @mastersthesis {bnh-8095, title = {Spatial planning to promote settlements{\textquoteright} resilience to bushfires}, volume = {Doctor of Philosophy}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, school = {University of Melbourne}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Bushfire hazards can pose significant risks at bushfire-prone urban-rural interfaces and peri-urban areas, highlighting the need to manage bushfire risk in relation to settlements{\textquoteright} planning and governance. Settlements{\textquoteright} resilience to bushfires can be purposively facilitated by the development and application of bushfire risk management knowledge. Spatial planning has the potential to support learning about and acting upon changing conditions and new bushfire information to promote settlements{\textquoteright} resilience to bushfires. However, the translation of new bushfire knowledge into meaningful spatial planning practices has been limited and spatial planning systems often struggle to integrate bushfire risk management. Thus, this research aims to contribute to understandings of spatial planning ability to improve its practices by identifying, reframing, and putting into action new considerations about bushfire risk management to promote settlements{\textquoteright} resilience to bushfires.

This research used an inductive qualitative research approach employing two case studies: the spatial planning systems of Chile and Victoria (Australia). Qualitative data was collected from documentation, archival records, and semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using time-series analysis, qualitative content analysis, and cross-case synthesis techniques. The research was divided into four stages, two stages correspond to the individual case study analysis and the remaining two to cross-case synthesis and discussion.

The research concludes that the Chilean and Victorian spatial planning systems are still constrained in their promotion of settlements{\textquoteright} resilience to bushfires due to internal and external complexities that frame and limit their ability for bushfire risk management. In Chile, there have been several mostly unsuccessful attempts to integrate bushfire considerations into the spatial planning system, thus the current system only outlines spatial planning mechanisms for bushfire risk management generically and inapplicably. In Victoria, the spatial planning system has partially and progressively improved its ways for dealing with bushfires, however, the current system still considers bushfire risk management partially and sometimes ambiguously. In practice, this implies that both spatial planning systems are sometimes allowing and even promoting settlements patterns that perpetuate bushfire risks.

Based on a cross-case synthesis, the research concludes that spatial planning instruments that comprehensively address bushfires are necessary, suggesting an integrated approach that undertakes bushfire risk management at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of planning mechanisms and processes. This approach establishes the instruments{\textquoteright} role in bushfire risk management and other factors that provide directions for improving their ability to promote settlements{\textquoteright} resilience to bushfire. Furthermore, the research also concludes that reflexive processes are not always conducive to the development and improvement of spatial planning systems for bushfire risk management, due to the variance of willingness, understanding, and capacity issues within the system and in the wider context. Accordingly, thesis propositions about the barriers and facilitators that influence spatial planning progressing from the identification, to the reframing and implementation of change about bushfire risk management were suggested.

}, keywords = {Bushfire, disaster risk managemet, Disaster risk reduction, resilience, spatial planning, urban planning, Wildfire}, url = {https://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/handle/11343/267371}, author = {Constanza Gonzalez-Mathiesen} } @article {bnh-7138, title = {The Australian Disaster Resilience Index: a summary}, number = {588.2020}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Natural hazards, such as bushfires, cyclones, floods, storms, heatwaves, earthquakes and tsunamis, have always occurred and will continue to occur in Australia. These natural hazards frequently intersect with human societies to create natural hazard emergencies that, in turn, cause disasters.

The effects of natural hazards on Australian communities are influenced by a unique combination of social, economic, natural environment, built environment, governance and geographical factors.

Australian communities face increasing losses and disruption from natural hazards, with the total economic cost of natural hazards in Australia averaging $18.2 billion per year between 2006 and 2016 (Deloitte Access Economics, 2017). This is expected to almost double by 2030 and to average $33 billion per year by 2050 (Deloitte Access Economics, 2016). The social impacts of disasters are also substantial. Costs associated with social impacts may persist over a person{\textquoteright}s lifetime and can be greater than the costs of tangible damages (Deloitte Access Economics, 2016).

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of some natural hazard types in Australia (BOM \& CSIRO, 2018). An increasing population, demographic change, widening socio-economic disparity, expensive infrastructure and the location of\  communities in areas of high natural hazard risk also contributes to the potential for increasing losses from natural hazards.

There are two prominent schools of thought about the influence of natural hazards in human societies:

This resilience perspective has been adopted in the Australian Disaster Resilience Index, with the aim of better understanding and assessing the disaster resilience of Australian communities nationwide.

As such, disaster resilience can be understood as a protective characteristic that acts to reduce the effects of, and losses from, natural hazards. Resilience arises from the capacities of social, economic and government systems to prepare for, respond to and recover from a natural hazard event, and to learn, adapt and transform in anticipation of future natural hazard events.

}, keywords = {communities, Disaster risk reduction, emergencies, Emergency, Natural hazards, people, resilience, risk, risk reduction}, isbn = {978-0-6482756-6-4}, issn = {588.2020}, author = {Melissa Parsons and Ian Reeve and James McGregor and Graham Marshall and Richard Stayner and Judith McNeill and Peter Hastings and Sonya Glavac and Phil Morley} } @article {bnh-7466, title = {The Australian Natural Disaster Resilience Index: a system for assessing the resilience of Australian communities to natural hazards - final project report}, number = {621}, year = {2020}, month = {10/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Disaster resilience is a protective characteristic that acts to reduce the effects of, and losses from, natural hazard events. Disaster resilience arises from the capacities of social, economic and government systems to prepare for, respond to and recover from a natural hazard event, and to learn, adapt and transform in anticipation of future natural hazard events. This project developed the Australian Disaster Resilience Index to assess, for the first time, the capacity for disaster resilience in communities across Australia.

Disaster resilience in Australia

The assessment of disaster resilience using the Australian Disaster Resilience Index shows that communities in Australia do not all have the same capacity for disaster resilience. About 52\% of the population live in areas with moderate capacity for disaster resilience, about 32\% in areas with high capacity for disaster resilience and about 16\% in areas with low capacity for disaster resilience. Analysis of the distribution of disaster resilience in Australia revealed:

Australian communities are also affected by various factors which enhance or constrain their capacity for disaster resilience. The particular combination of factors that influence capacity for disaster resilience differs from place to place. This generates a heterogeneous and complex picture of the factors associated with disaster resilience in Australia. Analysis of the distribution of the eight theme sub-indexes revealed:

}, keywords = {adri, assessing, communities, Natural hazards, resilience, system}, issn = {621}, author = {Melissa Parsons and Ian Reeve and James McGregor and Graham Marshall and Richard Stayner and Judith McNeill and Peter Hastings and Sonya Glavac} } @article {bnh-6990, title = {Building resilience: understanding the capabilities of diverse communities: case studies of two communities}, number = {578}, year = {2020}, month = {06/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Diversity and Inclusion: Building Strength and Capability (D\&I) project has identified building resilience with communities as a key focus of diversity and inclusion (D\&I) strategies for emergency management organisations (EMOs) (Young, Jones \& Kumnick, 2018). The project has identified a need for EMOs to develop greater understanding of the specific characteristics, barriers and needs of the communities they serve, and to identify their attributes, capabilities and skills. Interacting and communicating effectively with diverse communities has been identified as {\textquoteleft}critical to the building of resilience and reduction of risk associated with natural hazard events{\textquoteright} (Young, Jones \& Kumnick, 2018, p. 6).

D\&I strategies are vital to EMOs, but they cannot be developed in isolation, as communities themselves play a significant role in building relationships. The research to date has focused on developing knowledge of how EMOs must be more open to understanding and working with the diverse communities they serve. The need for strategic change in D\&I strategies and practices in EMOs is evident, and, in some cases, already in place (Rasmussen \& Maharaj, 2018; Young and Jones, 2019). However, less is understood about how aware Australia{\textquoteright}s newer communities are of potential natural hazard risks, their own capabilities and readiness to respond, and the potential roles they could play in building resilient communities with EMOs.

While D\&I strategies include greater representation of Australia{\textquoteright}s diverse communities in EMOs (Rasmussen \& Maharaj, 2018), this alone does not build resilient communities. Achieving this goal requires greater understanding of attributes, skills and capabilities from the perspective of the communities themselves. It also requires a fundamental change in the {\textquoteleft}nature of relationships EMOs have with their communities, from delivering a service (transactional), to working with them (relational){\textquoteright} (Young \& Jones, 2019, p. 8; see also Pyke, 2018; Young et al., 2018).

The case study communities reported on here were selected for their diversity rather than their specific engagement with the EMS. Neither have a strong relationship with, or even a complete understanding of, the emergency services and the role they play. The case studies reflect the disparate nature of diversity, with one a migrant community living in regional Victoria and the other an investigation of young people, aged 18{\textendash}25 years. While the migrant community is an obvious choice in developing understandings of the skills and capabilities of diverse groups, young people represent a unique challenge to EMOs in communities due to their emerging independence into adulthood, and trends in regional and rural contexts that see young people moving on to study, work and live in larger regional cities or urban environments.

}, keywords = {communities, diversity, resilience}, issn = {578}, author = {McDonald, F} } @article {bnh-7341, title = {A Culture of Burning: Social-Ecological Memory, Social Learning and Adaptation in Australian Volunteer Fire Brigades}, journal = {Society and Natural Resources}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, abstract = {

While Australian government agencies are increasingly emphasizing the need to {\textquotedblleft}build community resilience{\textquotedblright} to bushfires, communities in many rural landscapes have a strong history of actively managing fire risk, in particular through involvement in volunteer fire brigades. This paper explores social-ecological memory, social learning, and adaptation in volunteer Country Fire Authority brigades in western Victoria, specifically in the context of planned burning of strategic roadside fire breaks. It examines the relationships between local knowledge, narratives and practices of burning and how these shape volunteer identities, embodying {\textquotedblleft}shared responsibility{\textquotedblright}. Findings show that participation in roadside burning is critical for supporting social learning and ongoing community engagement in fire management. However, changing land uses, social demographics and regulatory processes are negatively impacting local volunteer capacities. While brigades have responded by re-organizing their practices, questions remain as to what extent this constitutes adaptation or transformation connecting to broader landscape-level risk management.

}, keywords = {adaptation, Bushfire, community-based fire management, planned burning, resilience, volunteering}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2020.1819494}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08941920.2020.1819494}, author = {Sarah Dickson-Hoyle and Ruth Beilin and Karen Reid} } @article {bnh-7837, title = {Disaster Risk Reduction in Bushfire Prone Areas: Challenges for an Integrated Land Use Planning Policy Regime}, journal = {Sustainability}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {12/2020}, abstract = {

The need for an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR) is widely promoted across the contemporary disaster literature and policy discourse. In Australia, the importance of integrating bushfire management and land use planning systems is a growing priority as bushfire risk in urbanized areas increases. This paper examines the changing policy landscape towards an integrated DRR regime for land use planning and bushfire management in south-west Western Australia. The research is based on a qualitative analysis of policy documents and in-depth interviews with policy actors associated with this regime. The results identify several challenges of policy integration for an integrated land use planning and bushfire management DRR regime, including incompatible worldviews, sectorial objectives and knowledge sets. A lack of cross-sectoral understanding, different risk tolerances and instrument preferences also constrained integration efforts. Based on our findings, we argue that rule-based mechanisms, which establish a legal framework for integration, are necessary when different policy goals and worldviews prevail between policy sectors. However, we conclude by emphasizing the value of actor-based mechanisms for integrated DRR policy regimes, which enable ongoing cross-sectoral communication and policy learning and facilitate a systems-oriented perspective of disaster resilience in the built environment.

}, keywords = {bushfire management, Disaster risk reduction, land use planning, policy integration, resilience}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410496}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10496/htm}, author = {Simone Ruane and Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan and Courtney Babb} } @book {bnh-7290, title = {A handbook of wildfire engineering: guidance for wildfire suppression and resilient urban design}, year = {2020}, pages = {179}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Each year firefighters from career and volunteer agencies across Australia respond to wildfires that impact the urban interface. When such an event occurs during a period of intense fire behavior, the conditions are often incompatible with life for persons either caught in the open or those seeking refuge in a vehicle. In order to improve firefighter safety and operational effectiveness during landscape scale wildfires, as well as providing sound engineering guidance to improve community resilience to wildfire impacts, this textbook forms part of the lead author{\textquoteright}s PhD and examines critical components of wildfire response. These components are the wildfire fighting strategies and tactics applied during a landscape scale wildfire event; the procedures and protective systems utilised in the event of burnover; operational risk management; and wildfire resilient urban design. A Handbook of Wildfire Engineering (the Handbook) provides firefighters, engineers and town planners with detailed technical approaches and analysis to enhance the resilience of communities in areas prone to wildfire impacts, and enhance the safety and effectiveness of wildfire suppression at the urban interface during catastrophic wildfire conditions.

Each chapter of the Handbook is designed to build upon the previous, providing a holistic approach to understanding vegetation and wildfire basics before exploring evidence based wildfire suppression. The critical linkage between wildfire suppression, firefighter safety and urban design is also explored. Whilst the primary focus of this Handbook is wildfire suppression, there are many aspects applicable to urban designers and policy makers. These are summarised at the conclusion of each chapter.

During the preparation of this book, Australia was suffering from catastrophic wildfires on both the west and east coasts and, tragically, civilians and firefighters alike were injured or killed. The lead author was deployed as a Strike Team Leader from Western Australia and was tasked with wildfire suppression and property defense near Walcha, New South Wales. In addition to his own local experiences in Margaret River in 2011 and Yarloop 2016, during the 2019 NSW deployment he witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of wildfire on firefighters and the communities, survived near miss entrapments and nights spent on the fireground cut off by fire behaviour and falling trees. This book is dedicated to all those affected by wildfires, particularly for the firefighters of all backgrounds and jurisdictions who put themselves in harm{\textquoteright}s way to protect life, property and the environment. May the guidance provided in this book help firefighters return safely to their loved ones and provide enhanced protection of communities in wildfire prone areas.

}, keywords = {engineering, resilience, suppression, urban design, Wildfire}, issn = {978-0-6482756-8-8}, author = {Greg Penney and Daryoush Habibi and Marcus Cattani and Steven Richardson} } @mastersthesis {bnh-8310, title = {Implementing disaster resilience policy in the Australian Federation}, volume = {Doctor of Philosophy}, year = {2020}, month = {12/2020}, pages = {329}, school = {Australian National University}, address = {Canberra}, abstract = {

Australia adopted the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience in 2011. This officially set it on a path to change the attitudes and behaviours of all sectors of society to share responsibility for disaster risks. This would require a shift away from the traditional emphasis on disaster, response, relief and recovery toward prevention, preparation and planning, and risk mitigation. Eight years later, disaster resilience policy continues to be implemented at all levels of government as well as influencing resilience-based approaches in the Not-for-Profit and business sectors. Much progress has been made in disaster resilience research, especially in the area of measurement, including the development of indicators that can potentially inform evaluation of the effectiveness of disaster resilience policy. However, there is shortage of research and a lack of awareness about the significance of policy implementation and governance for achieving successful policy outcomes. This thesis seeks to address this gap and investigates whether the implementation of disaster resilience policy in Australia reflects good practice and how current practice is shaped by the characteristics of the Australian Federal (multilevel) system of government. The methodology involves three parallel linked avenues of inquiry that includes the development of a Provisional Disaster Resilience Policy Implementation Framework (the Provisional framework) to guide implementation, the application of the Provisional Framework to a number of case studies of implementation to identify principles and practices relevant to multi-level governance systems that will enhance disaster resilience, and the evaluation of the Provisional framework to incorporate these findings.

A key research outcome is the Disaster Resilience Policy Implementation Framework that confirms the inclusion of the Policy Domains of Social Capital, Community Competence, Economic Development, Information and Communication, with the addition of a fifth and complementary Policy Domain, Subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is an organising principle that is closely associated with federalism and states that {\textquoteleft}that any particular task should be decentralized to the lowest level of governance with the capacity to conduct it satisfactorily{\textquoteright} (Marshall, G.R., 2008, {\textquoteleft}Nesting, subsidiarity, and communitybased environmental governance beyond the local scale{\textquoteright}. International Journal of the Commons, 2(1) p.80). This has implications for practice that have fundamental regard to the operation of disaster resilience within a system consisting of component parts that must work together to synergise disaster resilience efforts. For this system to work effectively activities must be coordinated using effective feedback mechanisms and facilitated by open and shared access to information, devolved to the appropriate level with approaches that nurture capacity, and with roles and responsibilities that are negotiated and clearly defined through an authentic process of stakeholder engagement.

}, keywords = {disaster, governance, Policy, resilience}, url = { http://hdl.handle.net/1885/216714}, author = {Susan Hunt} } @article {bnh-7300, title = {Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events: annual report 2019-2020}, number = {607}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This BNHCRC project titled:\  Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events prescribes practical structural retrofits that will make improvements to the performance of Pre-80s (Legacy) houses in windstorms as well as measures to reduce damage and loss to modern homes.

The major activity carried out in 2019-20 by the CTS-JCU and GA has been refining the VAWS software package using detailed wind loading and structural response test data and conducting a benefit-cost analysis for a range of retrofit or mitigation options:\ 

The retrofit options for the ten selected house types are also being provided as guideline in a website that is being produced. In line with the project timeline, an alpha version of this tool will be presented to Stakeholders in the next Quarter with the intention of having the final version released at the end of the project.

This project continues to give advice to the Queensland Government Household Resilience Program which provides funding to low income eligible home owners to improve the resilience of their homes against cyclones. This program managed by the Queensland Department of Housing \& Public Works (QDHPW) commenced in late 2018 and has been extended through 2020. Eligible home owners can apply to receive a Queensland Government grant of 75\% of the cost of improvements (up to a maximum of $11,250 including GST. About 1700 houses have been retrofitted so far.\ 

}, keywords = {Housing, resilience, severe wind}, issn = {607}, author = {Korah Parackal and Martin Wehner and John Ginger and Hyeuk Ryu and David Henderson and Mark Edwards} } @article {bnh-7480, title = {Structural design of floodways under extreme flood loading}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment}, volume = {11}, year = {2020}, month = {05/2020}, abstract = {

Purpose

Current methods for floodway design are predominately based on hydrological and hydraulic design principles. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a finite element methods approach for the inclusion of a simplified structural design method into floodway design procedures.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a three-dimensional finite element method to investigate numerically the different parameters, geometric configurations and loading combinations which cause floodway vulnerability during extreme flood events. The worst-case loading scenario is then used as the basis for design from which several structural design charts are deduced. These charts enable design bending moments and shear forces to be extracted and the cross-sectional area of steel and concrete to be designed in accordance with the relevant design codes for strength, serviceability and durability.

Findings

It was discovered that the analysed floodway structure is most vulnerable when impacted by a 4-tonne boulder, a 900 mm cut-off wall depth and with no downstream rock protection. Design charts were created, forming a simplified structural design process to strengthen the current hydraulic design approach provided in current floodway design guidelines. This developed procedure is demonstrated through application with an example floodway structural design.

Originality/value

The deduced structural design process will ensure floodway structures have adequate structural resilience, aiding in reduced maintenance and periods of unserviceability in the wake of extreme flood events.

}, keywords = {bridge failure, Flood, floodways, impact load, Infrastructure, resilience}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-10-2019-0072}, url = {https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJDRBE-10-2019-0072/full/html?skipTracking=true}, author = {Isaac Greene and Weena Lokuge and Warna Karunasena} } @article {bnh-6774, title = {Unpacking the meaning of resilience: the Tarnagulla community definition comparing to the literature}, journal = {Australian Journal of Emergency Management}, volume = {35}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, pages = {29-37}, abstract = {

In 2018, the Tarnagulla Alternative Energy Group in regional Victoria took steps to plan futures for their town and its local community that strengthened resilience to the many challenges in the area including those from climate change. Believing that {\textquoteright}anticipation strategies work against known problems, while resilient strategies are better against unknown problems{\textquoteright} (IFRC 2012, p.5) the group turned to the RMIT Climate Change Transformations group to unpack the meaning of resilience as it related to the town and community. The purpose was to produce a locally-focused Resilience Action Plan. Despite an international consensus and media propagation of resilience as a silver bullet to address future uncertainties, the concept remains contentious and challenging to implement. This paper considers how the various framings of resilience - the {\textquoteright}conceptual{\textquoteright} (in literature) and the {\textquoteright}operational{\textquoteright} (in policy) - relate to the Tarnagulla community{\textquoteright}s lived experience and the implications. The comparison allows to unpack a mixture of the complexities in understanding the nature of values, preferences, expectations, capacities, contested knowledge, as well as, the uncertainties. Study findings show that communities are best placed to frame their resilience, collectively and from a {\textquoteright}systems{\textquoteright} perspective, and that implementing actions, which may require radical change, hinge on a political voice and sustained support from policy makers.

}, keywords = {Climate change, community, operational, resilience, strategies}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-january-2020-unpacking-the-meaning-of-resilience-the-tarnagulla-community-definition-comparing-to-the-literature/}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati} } @article {bnh-5494, title = {Analysis of damage surveys of houses and preliminary input of VAWs}, number = {477}, year = {2019}, month = {04/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Significant financial loss in terms of cost of rebuilding or repair and loss of function of property (e.g. commercial activity, rental, relocation of residents, etc.), has been documented following recent severe tropical cyclones impacting the Australian coastal communities. These damage investigations estimate that the wind speeds in these events were less than the Australian building standard{\textquoteright}s design level wind speed for the regions impacted. Analysis of insurance claims data highlights issues with wind driven rain water damage. Additionally, investigations of the damaged buildings along with analysis of claims data reveals a high proportion of the losses are associated with contemporary construction as opposed to pre-current code buildings.\ 

Education and awareness of consequences of such failures (e.g. damage to property and risk to life) is required in all steps of the building process (regulation, design, construction, certification and maintenance) and by all parties (designer, builder, certifier, and owner).

}, keywords = {building risk, resilience, severe wind, VAWs}, author = {David Henderson and Daniel Smith and Korah Parackal and John Ginger} } @article {bnh-5620, title = {Analysis of design standards and applied loads on road structures under extreme events}, number = {480}, year = {2019}, month = {06/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This is the fourth report for the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC project B8, entitled {\textquoteleft}Enhancing the Resilience of Critical Road Infrastructure: bridges, culverts and flood-ways under natural hazards{\textquoteright}. The work presented here addresses milestone 3.2.2 {\textquotedblleft}Analysis of design standards completed{\textquotedblright} and 3.2.3 {\textquotedblleft}Draft report 4{\textendash} Loads applied on structures under extreme events (flood, earthquake, fire){\textquotedblright}, which are due on 30 December 2015. Thus, this draft report will be reviewed and refined through the input of the external stakeholders, in particular Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), VicRoads, RMS (NSW) and the Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC).
The following draft report presents an analysis of relevant design codes in regards to bridges, culverts and flood-ways design considerations under natural hazards (earthquake, flood and bushfire). Although effort has been made to include major design codes, the main focus of the practice code analysis has been Australian codes, major American codes and European codes. Section 5 also discusses the strengthening methods for reinforced concrete members under natural hazards.

}, keywords = {applied loads, engineering, extreme weather, resilience, structure}, issn = {480}, author = {Sujeeva Setunge and Chun Qing Li and Darryn McEvoy and Kevin Zhang and Jane Mullett and Hessam Mohseni and Priyan Mendis and Tuan Ngo and Nilupa Herath and Karu Karunasena and Weena Lokuge and Buddhi Wahalathantri and Dilanthi Amaratunga} } @article {bnh-5831, title = {Building resilience through flood risk communication annual report 2018-2019}, number = {509}, year = {2019}, month = {09/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This project commenced in July 2017 and comprises two phases:

  1. Understanding behaviour in and around floodwater, and
  2. Evaluating flood risk communication materials and developing guidelines.

This project is based on the findings of earlier BNHCRC research that investigated human fatalities from natural disasters (Haynes et al., 2017). This project focuses on the two behaviours most frequently associated with flood fatalities:

  1. Driving into floodwater in a motor vehicle, and
  2. Recreating in floodwater.

The focus is on the at-risk groups identified from this earlier research including emergency services personnel, younger and older male drivers, and children and young adults who play in floodwater (Haynes et al., 2017).

The year 2 activities that have been undertaken include:

Work is now underway to transition to Phase 2 activities and to maximise project utilisation opportunities.

}, keywords = {communication, emergency management., Flood, resilience, risk, risk mitigation}, issn = {509}, author = {Mel Taylor and Katharine Haynes and Matalena Tofa} } @article {bnh-6311, title = {Community benefits of roof upgrades}, number = {528}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Legacy houses (Houses built Pre-1982) are at risk of damage from wind loads due to the often inadequate roof hold down provided by connection details. Improving wind resistance through replacing roof connections or retrofitting the existing structure can greatly improve building performance and community safety. The Queensland Government Household Resilience Program (HRP) provides funding to help eligible home owners improve the resilience of their homes against cyclones. This program developed with advice from the Cyclone Testing Station is managed by the Queensland Department of Housing \& Public Works (QDPWH) and commenced in late 2018.

}, keywords = {community resilience, cyclones, Emergency management, engineering, resilience, roof, Severe Weather}, issn = {528}, author = {Korah Parackal and John Ginger and David Henderson and Martin Wehner} } @conference {bnh-6409, title = {Disasters and economic resilience in small regional communities: the case of Toodyay}, booktitle = {AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, organization = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

We explore the effects of a small bushfire on the income trajectory of employed residents of Toodyay, a regional town in Western Australia. Our study reveals how detailed profiling, using public data, can overcome statistical limitations in disaster risk reduction exercises and better direct post-recovery interventions to minimise disruptions to important income streams in small regional towns.

Download the full peer reviewed research proceedings from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forumhere.

}, keywords = {Disaster risk reduction, economics, resilience}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/}, author = {Mehmet Ulubasoglu and Farah Beaini} } @article {bnh-5610, title = {Emergency volunteering shared learning network}, number = {478}, year = {2019}, month = {06/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Emergency Volunteering Shared Learning Network (EVN) was established in September 2018, with the following goals:

The EVN was initially set up as a 6-month pilot project, sponsored by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (BNHCRC) in conjunction with the Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering research project.1 The EVN is convened by Blythe McLennan and Tarn Kruger from RMIT University.

The purpose of this report is to document the activities of the EVN during the pilot period, evaluate their impact and share learnings with the network{\textquoteright}s members as well as other BNHCRC researchers and end users. The report will also help to inform decisions about the next steps for the EVN.

}, keywords = {Citizen action, disaster, Emergence, Emergency, Informal volunteerism, resilience, volunteering}, issn = {478}, author = {Blythe McLennan} } @mastersthesis {bnh-6161, title = {Fragility and resilience of bridges subjected to extreme wave-induced forces}, volume = {Doctor of Philosophy}, year = {2019}, month = {08/2019}, school = {RMIT University}, type = {Doctorate}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Bridges are susceptible to severe damage due to wave-induced forces during extreme events such as floods, hurricanes, storm surges and tsunamis. As a direct impact of climate change, the frequency and intensity of these events are also expected to increase in the future. The damages to bridges lead to substantial community impact during emergency and post-disaster recovery activities. Hence, viable restoration strategies are needed to enhance the resilience of bridges under extreme wave hazards. The research on the quantification of vulnerability and resilience of bridges under extreme wave forces is limited. In particular, vulnerability and resilience assessment tools for bridges under different hazard intensity levels are required to quantify the resilience. This research addresses these research needs by providing a comprehensive vulnerability assessment framework for bridges subjected to extreme hydrodynamic forces.

A comprehensive literature review is first conducted on the four resilience assessment elements, namely external wave force characterization, structural response, vulnerability assessment and resilience quantification to identify the existing gaps in knowledge, particularly in vulnerability and assessment methods.
Unified resilience indices, based on the {\textquotedblleft}resilience triangle{\textquotedblright} concept, are proposed to take into account the effect of the consideration of resources (cost) and environmental impact and their relative importance to the decision makers in the resilience quantification. Such indices are important for stakeholders as they provide a linkage between the social (time), economic and environmental impacts in the assessment of restoration strategies.

An integrated vulnerability assessment framework for bridges with strong connectivity between super- and sub-structure is proposed. The framework includes both static and time-history analyses to examine the performance of bridges subjected to significant hydrodynamic forces. The uncertainties in force and structural parameters are taken into account and the probability of damage is estimated using six damage states that define the pre- and post-peak response of bridge. The pier drift is taken as the engineering demand parameter. The use of two-parameter intensity measures that can provide an accurate estimation of the response of bridge such as momentum flux (hu2) and moment of momentum flux (h2u2/2) is investigated.

To demonstrate the proposed framework, a numerical model is developed for a case study bridge located in a flood-prone region in Queensland, Australia. The accuracy of the piers model is validated using published works on small-scale pier specimens that have limited ductility. The effect of strengthening of bridge piers using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets is examined.

The overall fragility functions for all intensity measures (velocity, inundation depth, momentum flux and moment of momentum flux) are obtained for both initial and strengthened bridge. The reduction in scatter of fragility data is examined for the two-parameter intensity measures for all damage states. The viability of the use of FRP jackets for enhancing the resilience of bridges under extreme wave forces is also evaluated. The application of unified resilience indices based on the damage probability data obtained from fragility analysis is discussed for different intensities of the hazard.

The main contribution provided by this research is the comprehensive vulnerability and resilience assessment methods for bridges under extreme wave hazards. Such methodologies can assist in the evaluation of the different pre-disaster strengthening and recovery schemes for bridges. Decision makers (e.g., road authorities) can use the outcome of this research to assess the different retrofitting options for bridges taking into consideration the time, cost and energy consumption associated with each option.

}, keywords = {bridges, Emergency management, engineering, Fragility, Natural disasters, resilience}, author = {Ismail Qeshta} } @article {bnh-5434, title = {Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events in Australia Annual Report 2017-2018}, number = {465}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This project will propose practical structural upgrading solutions based on the latest research that will make a significant improvement in the performance of Pre-80s (Legacy) houses that are impacted by severe windstorms. The project has analysed existing structural retrofitting details available for some forms of legacy housing and has found that uptake is limited, even when these houses require major repairs following severe storm events. The work carried out in 2017-18 has focussed on developing cost-effective strategies for mitigating damage to housing from severe windstorms. The major activity has been progressing the VAWS software package by Geoscience Australia (GA) using wind loading and structural response data and other test data obtained by the CTS-JCU:

{\textbullet} Residential structures (i.e. Houses) have been categorized into types based on building features that influence windstorm vulnerability using CTS and GA housing survey data. Two house types were selected and incorporated in the VAWS package. The structural response (i.e. damage progression) with increasing wind speed has been modelled and validated. Testing carried out as part of BNHCRC supported thesis projects have provided additional data.

{\textbullet} Retrofit options and cost-benefit modules will be added to the VAWS model by GA and made available for trialling by end users and stakeholders (i.e. homeowners, builders, regulators, insurers). End-users and stakeholders will be asked to evaluate VAWS and suggest amendments and provide feedback on practicality and aesthetics of potential upgrading methods for these house types. Cost effective guides will be developed for vulnerable house types.

{\textbullet} Case studies will be used to evaluate effectiveness of proposed retrofit solutions for risk reduction. Economic assessment using the same case studies will be used to promote (via the stakeholders and end users) uptake of practical retrofit options.

}, keywords = {housing structure, resilience, severe wind}, author = {David Henderson and John Ginger and Daniel Smith and Martin Wehner and Hyeuk Ryu and Mark Edwards} } @conference {bnh-6526, title = {Research activities within European Union research program for improving preparedness and resilience }, booktitle = {AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, organization = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) is an international not for profit non-profit organisation, registered in Belgium, operating in its 26th year. TIEMS has chapters in 14 countries around the world and is in the process of establishing three new chapters this year. TIEMS activities comprise international conferences and workshops; research and development activities; and education, training and certification programs. TIEMS{\textquoteright}s slogan is: Preparedness saves lives.

Since 2006 TIEMS has participated as a consortium partner in European Union (EU) Research and Technology Development (RTD) programs to improve emergency preparedness. In addition, TIEMS experts have been members of user groups and advisory boards for a variety of other EU projects focusing on preparedness in Europe and worldwide. The present running EU program is Horizon 2020, which will have invested more than 100 billion Euro in RTD by the end of 2020, by EU RTD funding and private investment.

Four EU projects where TIEMS has been a consortium partner are: NARTUS (addressing important public safety communication issues); ASSET (improving trust between authorities and the public for pandemics and epidemics); HERACLES (protecting cultural heritage sites towards climate change), and DG ECHO Wildfire HUB (establishing an expert HUB in Europe to support wildfire fighting and to serve as a prototype for additional expert HUB{\textquoteright}s for other disasters in Europe). This paper summarizes the approaches developed by these programs to improve emergency preparedness.

TIEMS has also launched its own internal RTD project to develop a curriculum and on-line system for TIEMS International Certification {\textendash} TQC, which aims to become an internationally recognised certification of qualifications in international emergency management. This paper describes the structure and operational aspects of TQC.

Download the full non-peer reviewed research proceedings\ from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forumhere.

}, keywords = {Emergency management, Preparedness, protection, research program, resilience}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/}, author = {Drager, Kaare H and Robertson, Thomas} } @conference {bnh-6508, title = {School-based bushfire education: advancing teaching and learning for risk reduction and resilience}, booktitle = {AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, organization = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

In response to Recommendation 6 of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, the topic of bushfire has been incorporated into the Australian school curriculum. To support the implementation of this new curriculum content, fire agencies and education authorities have invested in a range of bushfire education programs and resources. Research in the field of school-based bushfire education has also intensified. Drawing on key findings from a suite of recent Australian studies, this paper outlines two key elements of effective school-based bushfire education that have the potential to advance teaching and learning for risk reduction and resilience. The first is a holistic risk framework that builds children{\textquoteright}s conceptual understanding of bushfire risk as a socioenvironmental phenomenon that derives from the interaction a physical hazard, the vulnerability of exposed people and assets, and the capacities people possess for disaster risk reduction. The second is a place-based pedagogy of bushfire risk, which grounds teaching and learning in the socioenvironmental contexts of children{\textquoteright}s lives.\  The paper concludes with some key recommendations for the continued development of good practice in this emergent field.

Download the full non-peer reviewed research proceedings\ from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forumhere.

}, keywords = {Bushfire, education, resilience, risk management, risk reduction, schools, Vulnerability}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/}, author = {Briony Towers} } @conference {bnh-6509, title = {Transforming through diversity and inclusion capability {\textendash} the pathway to achieving diversity benefits}, booktitle = {AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, organization = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

A key driver for building diversity and inclusion (D\&I) in emergency management organisations (EMOs) is to better represent diverse cohorts and ensure EMOs and their communities become more resilient to natural hazards. While EMOs have made some progress, dynamic transformation is required to effectively manage the rapidly changing contexts they and their communities face. Central to this is the need to expand the current service{\textendash}client relationship to become a more inclusive partnership model that builds resilience.
This paper reports on Phase 2 of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre project Diversity and inclusion: Building strength and capability, which aimed to develop a D\&I framework for the emergency management sector (EMS). Key aspects are: A process framework to guide organisations by linking strategic objectives to day-today decision making and integrates D\&I practice into organisational systems; Identification and development of specific strategic and people-based capabilities and skills; Management of risks arising as a result of D\&I shocks; and A process to measure and manage progress and assess the benefits derived from investment.

Download the full non-peer reviewed research proceedings\ from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forumhere.

}, keywords = {diversity and inclusion, Natural hazards, organisations, resilience, risk management}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/}, author = {Celeste Young and Roger Jones and Neelam Maharaj and Bruce Rasmussen} } @article {bnh-6331, title = {Establishing Design Principles for Wildfire Resilient Urban Planning}, journal = {Planning Practice and Research}, volume = {33}, year = {2018}, month = {02/2019}, pages = {97-119}, abstract = {

This study elaborates on the built and natural environment disciplines{\textquoteright} potential to develop applied understandings of resilience, using the example of land-use planning design guides in wildfire-prone areas. It argues that land-use planning can develop and apply spatial and physical resilience principles to disasters, contributing to developing meaningful ways of achieving resilience by bridging the space between overarching goals and the specificity of individual contexts, focusing on physical resistance. It concludes that there are nine design principles that can improve settlements resilience in wildfire-prone areas to reduce risks, organized under two major categories: acting on resistance and facilitating response.

}, keywords = {disaster, land-use planning, resilience, Wildfire}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/02697459.2018.1429787}, url = {https://rsa.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02697459.2018.1429787$\#$.XfrID49xXb0}, author = {Constanza Gonzalez-Mathiesen and Alan March} } @article {bnh-6308, title = {Extreme floods and river values: A social{\textendash}ecological perspective}, journal = {River Research and Applications}, year = {2018}, month = {08/2018}, pages = {1-11}, abstract = {

The social{\textendash}ecological status of rivers is particularly pronounced during extreme flood events. Extreme floods are a substantial threat to people, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Efforts to address the threats of extreme floods are aligned largely with social values of flood risk mitigation, flood preparation, and avoidance of loss. However, extreme floods are also a fundamental driver of river ecosystems, aligned with ecological (biophysical) values of event effectiveness, river change, disturbance, biotic response, and heterogeneity. A survey of the public perceptions of extreme floods revealed that participants generally understood the ecological values of extreme floods through concepts of naturalness, climate change, and knowledge production. However, participants had less understanding of how river integrity might influence the response of rivers to extreme floods. Resilience can be used as a framework for uniting the social and ecological values of extreme floods because it embodies a common language of change, disturbance, and adaptation and complements the socially dominated discourse of risk and emergency management. Three strategies are given for river scientists to frame ecological values in parallel with the paradigms of the socially dominated discourse of extreme floods: be prepared to act following an extreme flood disaster, learn and use the language of the flood risk and emergency management sector, and undertake assessments of the ecological values of extreme floods to highlight the threats to those values that may occur with climate change and river modification.

}, keywords = {disasters, disturbance ecology, flood management, resilience, risk}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3355}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/rra.3355}, author = {Melissa Parsons} } @mastersthesis {bnh-5390, title = {Acknowledging local sociality in disaster recovery: a longitudinal, qualitative study}, year = {2017}, school = {Macquarie University}, address = {Sydney}, abstract = {

Formal recovery, reconstruction and risk reduction efforts put in place in response to major disaster events are designed to redevelop infrastructure and services for, and improve the longer-term safety of, the affected populations. However, these efforts often rely on top-down approaches that neglect the impact on and the presence of local people{\textquoteright}s everyday lives in and with their communities (local sociality). As a result, top-down recovery and reconstruction approaches may misjudge engagement with disaster-impacted communities. Existing and emerging power-relations tend to influence the aims and processes of the recovery and marginalise the voices of the affected populations, particularly the most vulnerable.

This thesis explores these issues in four case studies: the towns of St George and Grantham, in Queensland, Australia, both of which were severely impacted by flooding events between 2010 and 2012, and the Japanese towns of Koizumi and Namie, which sustained devastating damage from the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and in the case of Namie, contamination from the Fukushima nuclear reactor in 2011. This study identifies a critical coherence in the human, social and political issues and challenges across all study areas, despite differences in the country, physical attributes of the hazards, types of damage and responses. In particular, the commonality identified across four different cases illuminate the importance of local sociality that is highly valued by the disaster-impacted people but often overlooked or downplayed by others.

The adopted qualitative, longitudinal research approach using semi-structured interviews through multiple site visits captured and identified long-term impacts and transitions in each study area involving individuals, households, local community groups, support persons and organisations and government officials.

}, keywords = {Australia, community, development, disaster relief, Japan, recovery, resilience, Vulnerability}, doi = {http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1260629}, url = {http://minerva.mq.edu.au:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/mq:70138}, author = {Tetsuya Okada} } @article {bnh-7443, title = {A new model for effective post-disaster housing reconstruction: Lessons from Gujarat and Bihar in India}, journal = {International Journal of Project Management}, volume = {35}, year = {2017}, month = {07/2017}, abstract = {

This paper critiques the traditional project management (PM) approach for post-disaster reconstruction work in relation to long-term effectiveness at strengthening disaster resilience of communities. While assessments of post-disaster reconstruction projects normally occurs within a few years of the disaster this paper is based on a study of four {\textquoteleft}good practice{\textquoteright} reconstruction projects, 15years after the earthquake and seven years after the flooding disaster from the Indian states of Gujarat and Bihar respectively. This extended timeframe enabled the examination of long-term outcomes related to disaster resilience of communities. The comparison of the four case study projects through extended timeframe enabled authors to articulate critical success factors contributing to project{\textquoteright}s effectiveness. The research found that the best long-term outcomes were achieved when the agencies implementing post-disaster housing reconstruction projects: 1) adopted an {\textquoteleft}agile{\textquoteright} approach to project planning and implementation; 2) allocated\ ample time\ for gaining and maintaining community trust; iii) provided multiple materials, technologies and skilled labour choices to ensure hazard-safety of housing, and (iv) continued community capacity building beyond the completion of the reconstruction work. These imperatives have prompted the development of a progressive, spiral model for effective post-disaster housing reconstruction project management which is presented in this paper.

}, keywords = {Community capacity, Housing reconstruction, India, Post-disaster project management, Project life-cycle, resilience}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.02.002}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263786317301618}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati and Martin Mulligan} } @article {bnh-7444, title = {An owner-driven reconstruction in Bihar}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment}, volume = {8}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, abstract = {

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify {\textquotedblleft}key processes{\textquotedblright} during the owner-driven reconstruction (ODR) process by implementing agencies, to enhance the long-term disaster-resilience of housing and community.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods methodology and {\textquotedblleft}case-study{\textquotedblright} approach is adopted to compare good practice reconstruction projects in India in the past 15 years. This paper discusses findings from investigations conducted in two settlements of Bihar {\textendash} Orlaha and Puraini, after major flooding in 2008. The sites were visited during 2012 and 2014.

Findings

One of the key processes that lead to the success of the ODR process in terms of its effect on the long-term disaster-resilience in Bihar is community mobilisation it functions primarily as an information and communication device promoting the success (or otherwise) of the reconstruction project.

Originality/value

The findings are based on empirical evidence gathered during in-field investigations and interviews to post-disaster reconstructed villages. While these findings represent a snapshot of diverse and complex disaster experiences in the Indian context, the comparison offers insight on how to turn the rhetoric surrounding {\textquotedblleft}owner-driven{\textquotedblright} or {\textquotedblleft}built back better{\textquotedblright} into positive long-term community outcomes.

}, keywords = {Built Environment, owner driven, Participatory approach, post-disaster reconstruction, resilience}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-10-2015-0051}, url = {https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJDRBE-10-2015-0051/full/html}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati and Beau Beza} } @inbook {bnh-7235, title = {Participation for Disaster Resilience}, booktitle = {Community Engagement in Post-Disaster Recovery}, year = {2017}, publisher = {Routledge Taylor and Francis Group}, organization = {Routledge Taylor and Francis Group}, chapter = {6}, address = {United Kingdom}, abstract = {

This chapter addresses the question of how to enhance community participation in post-disaster housing reconstruction in order to enhance future {\textquoteleft}disaster resilience{\textquoteright}. Four {\textquoteleft}good practice{\textquoteright} reconstruction projects from the Indian states of Gujarat and Bihar are compared, to examine the long-term impact of different participatory approaches. The findings suggest a need to address strategic issues that go beyond one project life cycle of reconstruction projects. These findings are organised into an {\textquotedblleft}operational framework for community participation for resilience{\textquotedblright}, which can hopefully be a valuable tool for a wide range of disaster management agencies.

}, keywords = {community engagement, disaster, Housing, recovery, resilience}, issn = {9781315534213}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315534213}, url = {https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315534213/chapters/10.4324/9781315534213-6}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati} } @mastersthesis {bnh-6491, title = {Disaster Resilient Communities: Engagement with Spontaneous Volunteer Groups}, volume = {Masters of Environments}, year = {2016}, month = {06/2016}, school = {University of Melbourne}, type = {Masters}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This study tackles the confliction between the willingness of the altruistic to assist in times of disaster against the capacity of the emergency management system to effective utilise the human resource effectively. The aim is to investigate the role of Spontaneous Volunteer Groups (SVGs) in strengthening community disaster resilience through a qualitative, context-driven research approach from a pragmatist viewpoint utilising open-ended questions. This approach is problem-driven occurring in the particular context of severe disaster events where traditional services are often overwhelmed and resources stressed. The data was collected from interviewees who have contributed significantly to the emergency management sector. The interviews were recorded, stored, analysed and emergent generalised and specific themes discussed in reference to the criteria set out in the national 2015 Spontaneous Volunteer Strategy.
The study contends that if the Australian community and emergency management sector are serious in achieving a society able to genuinely share responsibilities for resilience to disasters, and build community capacity, then the following should be promoted: inclusiveness {\textendash} including allowing SVGs to self-organise; power-sharing; transparency; engagement with volunteer motivations ; flexible volunteering models ; preparedness to manage volunteer emergence; disaster education and training, activities identification within all disaster phases; forming strong and lasting community links; addressing risk and liability; developing on-the-spot training procedures; sharing information , skills and knowledge; communication clarity; key liaisons; altering mindsets; social media engagement and essentially developing plans and actionable procedures for empowering people to demonstrate their resilience. Currently this path can be a difficult one to follow, despite its promotion with many national strategies, due to restrictions, barriers and complexities within the sector.
The expanded upon strategy can assist the government and Emergency Service Agencies (ESAs), in the face of limited policy, to recognise their responsibilities to operate together and engage meaningfully with alternative forms of assistance in a less restrictive emergency management system, to promote optimal protection of communities from future disasters. In complex environments ESAs must demonstrate flexibility to efficiently adapt, change and restore new and more resilient function to communities.

}, keywords = {communities, disasters, Emergency management, resilience, spontaneous volunteers, volunteer groups, volunteers}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/11343/229442}, author = {Gemma Gray} } @conference {bnh-7445, title = {Rural housing resilience in India: Is it reliant on appropriate technology or labour skills?}, booktitle = {Sustainable Futures Conference}, year = {2016}, month = {09/2016}, address = {Nairobi, Kenya}, abstract = {

The aim of this paper is to identify key approaches to housing reconstruction in India which demonstrate success in the: i) (re)building of resilient houses, ii) enabling of house-hold autonomy, and iii) enhancing of artisanal skills over the longer term (i.e. greater than 7 years since disaster). With the rising frequency and complexity of natural hazards, the need for resilience to be {\textquoteright}built in{\textquoteright} to housing reconstruction projects is urgent. To achieve the research aim, a mixed methods methodology and {\textquoteright}case study{\textquoteright} approach is used. Four good practice reconstruction projects in India are selected for comparative analysis, these are: i) Hodko and Patanka in Gujarat (post 2001 earthquake), and ii) Orlaha and Puraini in Bihar (post 2008 floods). This paper discusses findings from empirical investigations conducted using an analytical lifespan framework with the timescale tools reflecting an Input, Output, Results and Impact examination. The findings suggest that for reconstruction to be successful and, importantly, effective in terms of housing resilience the {\textquoteright}process{\textquoteright} must support the confidence of local households, use/employ the local labour fource and the up-skilling of these builders (who may also need on-going support for linkages to livelihood)

}, keywords = {Housing, Reconstruction, recover, resilience}, url = {https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Rural-housing-resilience-in-India\%3A-Is-it-reliant-on-Vahanvati-Beza/4fed0ed10a0f077fba67e1d28195aea0677097f8}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati and Beau Beza} } @conference {bnh-7447, title = {Owner-Driven Reconstruction in India: A case-study of Kosi River Floods in Bihar}, booktitle = {5th International conference on building resilience}, year = {2015}, month = {07/2015}, address = {Newcastle, Australia}, abstract = {

An Owner-Driven Reconstruction (ODR) approach was adopted in the Indian state of Bihar, post 2008 Kosi River floods. This ODR was unique as it was piloted prior to policy formation. The paper discusses preliminary observations from empirical investigations conducted in two settlements of Bihar - Orlaha and Puraini, during 2012 and 2014. The aim was to identify {\textquoteleft}key processes{\textquoteright} or effectiveness of ODR approaches that enhance long-term disaster-resilience of housing and community autonomy. From the case-study investigations, one of the themes {\textendash} community facilitation is discussed, with its positives and negatives for future replication.

}, keywords = {disaster recovery, India, Owner-Driven-Reconstruction, Participation, resilience}, url = {https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/38780899/ANDROID_Doctoral_School_Proceedings_2015.pdf?1442351518=\&response-content-disposition=inline\%3B+filename\%3DProceedings_of_the_ANDROID_Doctoral_Scho.pdf\&Expires=1603196280\&Signature=cV4Dxewt0EFvZIrIiow2VHjBYNu}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati and Beau Beza} } @conference {bnh-7446, title = {Reviving people{\textquoteright}s trust in Bamboo technology: A case-study of Orlaha settlement reconstruction in Bihar, after the 2008 Kosi floods}, booktitle = {World Bamboo Congress}, year = {2015}, month = {09/2015}, address = {Damyang, Korea}, abstract = {

There is a growing body of literature suggesting significance of technical and social guidance during post-disaster housing reconstruction projects. Social process during reconstruction includes considerations of community participation or owner-driven approaches. Technical process includes considerations for achieving a balance between the world-views of beneficiaries and facilitators in terms of multi-hazard safe house form, material, technology, and its cultural, environmental and financial appropriateness. Research suggests that it is the approaches/ process to reconstruction implementation, on which, relies the long-term effectiveness of housing reconstruction projects at imparting disaster-resilience to at-risk communities (Barenstein \& Iyengar 2010; Jha et al. January 2010; Lizarralde et al. 2010; Lyons, Schilderman \& Boano 2010; Schilderman \& Lyons 2011). However, empirical evidence suggests that despite the benefits of and socio-technical support by civil society agencies for re-adoption of traditional materials and technologies for multi-hazard safe housing reconstruction, it often proves challenging. This paper focuses on the technological and social process of reconstruction in the settlement of Orlaha in Triveniganj block in Supaul district of the Indian state of Bihar, post 2008 Kosi floods. The paper presents preliminary observations from two field-works that were conducted during November-December months in 2012 (Stage-1) and 2014 (Stage-2). The paper examines whether the process of housing reconstruction enabled reviving household{\textquoteright}s faith in bamboo {\textendash} a local traditional material for achieving multi-hazard resistance as well as met their aspirations? The research asks questions such as; what is the condition of housing, 5 years since completion of reconstruction? How satisfied are households with their housing? What are the reasons for successful uptake or failure? The paper examines whether and how a convergence can be achieved between technology and social perception. To this end, the paper{\textquoteright}s findings indicate that post-disaster context offers a small window of opportunity during which local households are open for changing their perceptions for achieving multi-hazard resistant housing, provided the technical assistance is accompanied with social assistance.

}, keywords = {community, Flood, Reconstruction, recover, resilience}, url = {http://toc.proceedings.com/28028webtoc.pdf}, author = {Mittul Vahanvati and Munir Vahanvati} }