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Science to Action for Building Resilience of Urban Communities to Climate Induced Physical Hazards
Cities in South-east Asia are increasingly exposed to physical hazards such as strong winds, flash-floods, landslides, subsidence and air pollution. Losses are not adequately estimated but the majority of the impacted are poor and vulnerable populations. Climate change and expansion of cities will lead to escalation in flooding and landslides. Distinct groups of physical scientists need to work together to deliver integrated approaches for multi-hazard assessment and delineate areas susceptible to urban hazards.
The aims of this initiative was to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners working on physical hazards in South-east Asia (with specific emphasis on Malaysia) to link with counterparts in the UK. To this end, a number of workshops in the UK and in Malaysia and exchange visits were organized. One of these was the Workshop on New Science and Business Developments for Managing Climate Risks that was held in the Royal Society on 5 November 2015 that brought together important names from policy-making bodies, insurance sector, finances and the academia. The outcomes of this "pump-priming" project will help build R&D capacity in South-east Asia for multi-hazard assessment, identify susceptible areas and fine-tune modelling tools for climate extremes and atmospheric hazards for tropical climates.
Funding: Newton Ungku Omar Funds
Partners: UKM-SEADPRI, University of Cambridge
Epicentre Staff Involved: Tiziana Rossetto, Yasemin Didem Aktas