RISC-KIT Summer School on Disaster Risk Reduction in Coastal Areas
The RISC-KIT Consortium is pleased to announce that the application deadline for the RISC-KIT Summer School has been extended until 6th May 2016. This Summer School (12-16 September, Ferrara, Italy), the first of two that the project will offer, is aimed at PhD students who have finished at least their first year of training as well as early career researchers working on all aspects of flood risk management, from among the physical sciences, engineering, social sciences, etc.
RISC-KIT, a European project funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission, is developing a toolkit to improve resilience and preparedness in exposed areas to improve Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and to protect human life and investment. The toolkit includes a risk assessment tool, the Coastal Risk Assessment Framework (CRAF) that allows the user to determine which regions along a coastal expanse are most vulnerable to hazards. By identifying these risk “hotspots”, end users can more efficiently focus their DRR measures and resources. The toolkit also comprises an online management guide that allows virtual learning and exchange for the development of disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans. The guide includes prevention, mitigation and preparedness measures with recommendations for their use in different socio-economic, cultural and environmental scenarios.
Coming together in Ferrara, Italy, from 12-16 September 2016, the RISC-KIT experts will provide hands-on training in the application of a selection of the RISC-KIT tools, including the CRAF as well as the online management guide to DRR measures. The course will include formal lectures, practical sessions and a field trip to Porto Garibaldi in the Emilia-Romagna region on Italy’s Adriatic coast.
The agenda for the week will be as follows:
Day 1: Introduction to CRAF Phase 1 – introduction to general concepts on hotspots of coastal risk, introduction to the coastal risk index and how to identify a hotspot, and introduction to the Porto Garibaldi case study site. Practical exercises on coastal exposure.
Day 2: CRAF Phase 2 – Identification of a hazard. Introduction to the vulnerability library. Introduction to storm impacts on the coast of the Emilia-Romagna region.
Day 3: A visit to Porto Garibaldi-Bellocchio region of the Italian coast. Porto Garibaldi-Bellocchio is a low lying area, highly exposed to extreme events, and in which complex and exposed ecosystem and high socio-economic stakes coexist. Students will be required to undertake a small research study on the field site.
Day 4: Application of CRAF Phase 2 to the Porto Garibaldi case study site. There will also be an opportunity for Questions and Answers with a local coastal manager regarding storm preparedness, resilience and risk management. Students will report back to the rest of the group as part of this exercise.
Day 5: Introduction to DRR measures, with emphasis on social and community aspects. Introduction to the RISC-KIT web-based guide for DRR.
The course will be given by experts in coastal engineering, coastal management and socio-economics, including: Dr. Christophe Viavettene, Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University, UK; Dr. Grit Martinez, Ecologic Institute, Germany; Dr. Paolo Ciavola, University of Ferrara, Italy; Dr. Ap van Dongeren, Deltares, Netherlands.
Enrollment will remain open until 6 May 2016. Applications are invited from coastal scientists and engineers, geographers, social scientists, etc. Transdisciplinary candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Interested candidates are asked to send a Curriculum vitae, together with a letter of motivation to summer.schools@risckit.eu. Places are limited and will be offered to those candidates who are expected to benefit most from the course. Preference will be given to students based in Europe. The course will be free of charge and accommodation will be provided for all participants. Lunches will also be provided, but participants will have to cover their own travel costs and any other subsistence costs that may be incurred. Please see the RISC-KIT website for further information and updates.