Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) - Allied Knowledgebase

Proc. International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC Davos 2010 (CD-ROM) 30 May - 3 June 2010, Davos, Switzerland

Extended Abstracts, pp.378-383 （paper no. 520)

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Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) - Allied Knowledgebase Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction

Hiroyuki Kameda1, Mohsen Ghafory-Ashtiany2, Amod Mani Dixit3, Craig Duncan4, Weihua Fang9, Naho Ikeda5, Takayuki Nakamura11, Hiroaki Negishi5, Norio Okada6, Anshu Sharma7, Rajib Shaw8, Mitsuaki Sasaki5, Koichi Shiwaku5, Peijun Shi9, Stefan Scheer10 , Kaoru Takara6, Hirokazu Tatano6

1 Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Research Center, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaste Prevention (EDM-NIED), Kobe, and Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Japan: [email protected]; (DRH Project PI, DRH Manager and DRH Facilitator in IOT) 2 International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran, Iran: [email protected]; (DRH Facilitator in IOT) 3 National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET), Kathmandu, Nepal: [email protected]; (DRH Facilitator in PT) 4 United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), Geneva, Switzerland: [email protected]; (DRH web system advisor) 5 National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), Tsukuba, Japan: [email protected]; (Negishi, Shiwaku and Sasaki:DRH web system development; Ikeda: DRH Template coordinator) 6 Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Uji, Japan: [email protected]; (Okada: DRH Facilitator in PT; Takara: DRH Japan Board Chair; Tatano: DRH Facilitator support in PT) 7 Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS), Delhi, India: [email protected]; (DRH Facilitator in TIK) 8 Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan: [email protected]; (DRH Facilitator in TIK) 9 Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China: [email protected]; (iRiskNet and DRH-China) 10 European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC/JRC), Ispra, Italy: [email protected]; (DRH Europe/Africa)

11 Hokkaido University, Japan: [email protected]; (DRH contents compilation-Japanese institutions)

ABSTRACT: An overview of the international initiative "Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH)", a web-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) knowledgebase is presented. Its conceptual bases, system developments and efforts for establishing allied DRH platforms are highlighted. "Implementation technology", a key concept of DRH contents is addressed. While the outputs of the DRH-Asia project constitute the main part, the article is intended to share the ideas and actions with allied platforms including DRH Europe/Africa as well as other national DRH systems in progress.

Keywords: Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH), Implementation technology, Knowledgebase for DRR, DRH alliance, UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction

1. INTRODUCTION

An international initiative "Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH)" is progressing to develop an effective knowledgebase to aid DRR policy. The DRH, a web-based facility, is an interactive vehicle of appropriate disaster reduction technology and knowledge that manages proposal submission, discussions for manuscript enhancement, accommodation in database, search of contents, links to relevant initiatives.

The major part of this article will present the activities of the DRH Project and the features of DRH-Asia constructed from it whose top page is shown in Fig. 1.

In later chapters, however, another important issue is addressed: constituting a "DRH alliance" which is being pursued through the development of regional

Fig.1: Top page of DRH-Asia (Ver.3.4: as of April 2010)

(http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/ )

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DRH platforms including DRH-Asia, DRH-Europe/Africa, and national DRH systems for Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, etc.

Note that the DRH-Asia is being operated at [ http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/ ] and that all documents produced during the DRH Project and discussed herein are accessible at [http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Project_top.htm ].

1.1 DRH – Motivation for DRH The DRH development was initiated by the DRH Project based on the proposal of the Japanese government at the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction (UN-WCDR), Jan. 2005, to promote international development of "Disaster reduction portfolio", effective information platforms for disaster risk reduction. The proposal was intended to contribute to implementing the Hyogo Frame of Action for 2005-2015 adopted at the UN-ISDR.

"What is useful technology and knowledge for disaster reduction ?" This simple question was a basic motivation to the DRH project. There was a roadway of many international activities and earnest efforts in research and development to answer the question. The roadway incorporates projects such as EqTAP Project (April 1999-March 2004) (Kameda; 2004, 2005), "Pilot Project" conducted for the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR: January 2005) (Working Group - MEXT, 2005), that led to launching a policy-based project on Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) with Japanese government as a major sponsor. Further details are described in Kameda et. al (2008).

1.2 DRH Project The DRH Project was conducted in the following two phases:

DRH Project Phase-I (April 2005-March 2006): Major task = Establishing an international network that clearly defined the mission, proposed attributes of DRH, and a scheme of international collaboration (http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase1.htm)

DRH Project Phase-II (July 2006-March 2009): "Disaster Reduction Hyperbase - Asian Application" Major task = Actually realizing the DRH, making it useful, and disseminate (http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase2_e.htm)

The major sponsor was Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), government of Japan under Special Coordination Fund for Promotion of Science and Technology. National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) served as the core institution in charge with Kyoto University as contractor for a part of the project. The project was conducted in cooperation with MEXT and CAO (Cabinet Office).

The project was participated by an international group of about twenty-five people consisting of leading researchers, NGO leaders, and officials of international institution. They were: * Cross-regional coordination and collaboration in information platform development: UN-International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR Secretariat, Geneva; European Commission Joint Research Center (EC/JRC), Ispra; Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Kobe * Asia: Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC),Bangladesh; Beijing Normal University (BNU),China; Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS), India; Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB) and Coastal Dynamics Research Center (CDRC), Indonesia; International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Iran; National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET), Nepal; Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Philippines; University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; and leading institutions of Japan * Africa: University of Bab Ezzouar (USTHB), Algeriga * South America: Peru Civil Defense (Peru) Their contributions were tremendous both in cash and/or in-kind

The funded period of the DRH Project terminated in March 2009. The DRH-Asia web site has been completed and is in operation. Currently, important post-project activities are being conducted. They include DRH web-system enhancement, enrichment of DRH contents, User oriented meetings, sustainability efforts.

2. TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE ACCOMMODATED IN DRH-ASIA

2.1 Conceptual development: Proposal of "Implementation Technology" Throughout the DRH Project Phase-I, in-depth discussion was conducted for conceptualization of "useful" DRR technology. The key issue was "implementation strategy". The idea originated in the EqTAP Project, and was elaborated in the DRH activities.

In conventional recognitions, technology meant engineering products. But when we consider implementation strategy, technologies should involve not only products but processes as well. This requires innovation of research community to reform from "product focused research" to "process oriented research", or "product-process linked research".

The three Core Member Meetings conducted during the DRH Project Phase I provided valuable opportunities for elaboration based on various real-world information. It is important to note that the DRH project members are comprised not only of researchers but also NGO practitioners who stand on links to connect research and practice. Their contributions in the discussion

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were key to conceptual development. These activities led to a concept of "Implementation Technology" that will mean a comprehensive set of Implementation Oriented Technology (IOT: product), Process Technology (PT: procedure), and Transferable Indigenous Knowledge (TIK: wisdom). The concept was agreed upon in the final workshop of the DRH Project Phase-I (Tsukuba Resolution 2006).

2.2 Components of Implementation Technology Efforts for enhancement of implementation technology concepts were pursued in the DRH Project Phase-II. Elaboration was possible with ample practical examples. Such occasions include Idea Workshop on Indigenous Technology For the Contents Development of Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) <Conceptual enhancement and case clarification of "Transferable Indigenous Knowledge">, Delhi, 19-20 February 2007, Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) Contents Meeting, Kobe, 12-13 March 2007, Mini Workshop on School Safety for DRH-Asia Contents Development, Kobe, 4 July 2007, Publication of the DRH Contents Meeting Proceedings, November 2007, Second DRH-Asia Annual Workshop, Beijing, 21-22 February 2008, etc. Based on these experiences that were shared by many DRH members, conceptualization of implementation technology was concluded as follows:

Implementation Technology to be compiled in DRH-Asia, consisting of +Implementation oriented technology (IOT): Products from modern research and development that are practiced under

clear implementation strategies +Process technology (PT): Know-how for implementation and practice, capacity building and social development for

knowledge ownership +Transferable indigenous knowledge (TIK): Traditional art of disaster reduction that is indigenous to specific region (s)

but having potential to be applied to other regions and having time-tested reliability

2.3 Criteria for Components of Implementation Technology Extensive discussion by DRH members have led to the following criteria for each component of implementation technology:

Criteria for Implementation Oriented Technology (IOT) • Technically or scientifically acceptable • Problem identification and methodology development practiced in direct communication with stakeholders and end-users

to create incentive for their participation and ownership • Regional characteristics properly incorporated in terms of local context including available materials, cost, and

workmanship • Most advanced research methodologies mobilized to generate high-quality products and meet the actual demands of the

region Criteria for Process Technology (PT)

• With emphasis on “practical use” of research • A tested methodology with social, cultural, economic, ecological, and technical feasibilities, developed through an

implementation/ testing process ensuring results in disaster reduction • Demonstrated stakeholders’ participation and enhanced ownership

• of the process • of results and lessons

• Amenable/adaptable to local context, and with institutionalization potential • In-depth knowledge and insight gained through experience with disasters and mitigation

Criteria for Transferable Indigenous Knowledge (TIK) • Originated within communities, based on local needs, and specific to culture and context (environment and economy) • Provides core knowledge with flexibility for local adaptation for implementation • Uses local knowledge and skills, and materials based on local ecology • Has been proven to be time tested and useful in disasters • Is applied or applicable in other communities or generations

These criteria are serving as an important guideline in compilation of the DRH contents.

3. FRAMEWORK OF DRH-ASIA

3.1 Attributes of DRH-Asia For incorporating "implementation technology" (IOT, PT and TIK), the basic structure of Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) was consolidated as the following proposed attributes (Tsukuba Resolution 2006).

Proposed DRH Attributes : • Open and Interactive access and participation • access to tested implementation technology database, such as implementation oriented technology, process technology,

transferable indigenous knowledge (DRH Database)

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• Forum for facilitating collation, testing and dissemination of mitigation models (DRH Forum) • Link with relevant initiatives (DRH Links)

In addition, important documents relevant to DRH development were compiled in the web site as the DRH Project progressed. They have constituted an additional important component of DRH; i.e.,

• Documentation of the DRH-Asia Project (DRH Project)

Thus, DRH Database, DRH Forum, and DRH Links plus DRH Project are referred to as "3+1" major components of the DRH-Asia system.

3.2 Criteria for DRH Contents With recognition of the "implementation technology", general criteria for DRH contents have been specified as:

General Criteria for DRH Contents Acceptance • Understandable to users • Implementable (Usable, Doable) • Shown to be useful

Plus • Criteria for each category (IOT, PT, TIK)

Note that these general criteria are different from those for scientific journals. This is a special feature of DRH which is aimed at compiling the contents under the implementation strategy.

3.3 DRH Template The DRH contents are compiled according to the DRH Template, a standard format that was established through ample discussion among DRH members. Currently, DRH Template ver.7.3 is used. It incorporates the following items:

I. Heading / II Categories / III. Contact Information / IV. Background / V. Descriptions / VI. Resources Required / VII Message from the proposer (if any) / VIII Self evaluation in relation to applicability / IX. Application examples / X. Other related parallel initiatives (if any) / XI. Remarks for version upgrade

Proposals for DRH contents can be edited directly on the DRH Forum (Propose a contents) page of the DRH site which has been designed to conform with the DRH Template. Proposers can also edit their manuscript by using the DRH Template in word files and transfer it to the web by click-drop.

4. DRH-ASIA SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

4.1 Web System Development The DRH web-site was opened on 14 December 2008 as its ver.1. Further improvements have been conducted up to the current ver.3.4 on 6 April 2010 (Fig.1).

The DRH web system thus developed has following distinct features:

• Basic structure of DRH described in 3.1 (DRH Database, DRH Forum, DRH Links and DRH Project) has been realized. • Convenient functions have been implemented to assist DRH contents proposal submission, DRH member registration,

advanced search of DRH Database, facilitation of proposals, automatic mailing, etc. • A multi-lingual operation has been implemented. DRH is currently operable in fourteen languages including English,

Japanese, French, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Filipino, Indonesian, Bengali, Hindi, Sinhara, Persian, and Nepali. These languages are kept in database and can be expanded by adding language data. This feature will be a powerful tool for development of regional/national DRH systems.

• An active link is being established between DRH-Asia and PreventionWeb of UN-ISDR. • The entire web system has been constructed as freeware codes. While copyright of the DRH system belongs to NIED, it is the

policy of NIED and endorsed by DRH Consortium that the DRH source code shall be transferred to those who will use it for non-profit disaster risk reduction purposes. For further details, contact [email protected]

• A DRH installation kit in DVD has been developed so that dissemination of the DRH web system can be readily conducted.

It is anticipated that these features of the DRH web system will be a driving force in forming DRH Alliance discussed later in 5.

4.2 Mechanism of "Facilitation" for DRH Contents On the DRH Contents proposals that are submitted in the DRH Forum (Propose a technology), discussion is conducted among the proposer, DRH Manager and DRH Facilitators. The purpose is to help the proposal be enhanced so that it will conform better with the DRH criteria. The DRH Manager takes efforts to make it meet the requirements of the general criteria (3.2), that is "understandable", "implementable", and "shown to be useful". The DRH Facilitators, nominated for looking at IOT, PT, or TIK, pursue for improvement in the light of criteria for corresponding categories (2.3).

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DRH project members decided to call this process "Facilitation", because the purpose is to help improving submitted manuscripts in the light of the DRH criteria. This is the strategy of quality assurance for DRH Contents which is different from accept-or-reject type peer review.

Facilitation steps are conducted on DRH Forum (Discuss technologies) site. All discussions are recorded and opened to the readers to help them understand the context of DRH.

4.3 Compilation of DRH Contents Fig.2 shows examples of DRH contents registered in the DRH Database. It also shows countries contributing to DRH contents proposals. As of April 2010, a total of 58 DRH contents proposal have been submitted, out of which 36 have been registered in the DRH Database and 22 are being facilitated on the DRH Forum.

These DRH contents have been compiled through various channels:

• Contributions at DRH Contents Meeting (Kobe, 2007.3 / Proceedings in 2007.11）(Kameda et. al, 2007)

• Call for DRH Contents proposals on the DRH web site • Institutional letters from NIED President to relevant research

institutions in Japan • Individual approaches • Collaboration with other research initiatives including

UNESCO-IHP (International Hydrology Programme), ICL (International Consortium on Landslides), etc.

5. PERSPECTIVE TO DRH ALLIANCE

5.1 Regional DRH Developments The DRH initiative was intended to constitute a global network. While, DRH-Asia has been developed as a core platform in an Asian context, wider cross-regional collaboration was an important agenda and was consistently pursued throughout the DRH Project. Such efforts are resulting in forming a group of regional DRH platforms as follows:

• DRH Europe/Africa: During the DRH Project Phase I, the First Core Member Meeting on DRH was held in Geneva, in which UN-ISDR Secretariat provided an excellent leadership in linking the DRH Project to leaders in Europe and Africa. A tie was established with EC/JRC at Ispra, Italy. Concurrently with the development of DRH-Asia by NIED and DRH Consortium group, DRH Europe/Africa was constructed by EC/JRC (http://drh-europe.jrc.it/), and is in operation.

• DRH China: Beijing Normal University, a great contributor in the DRH Project, has decided to incorporate "DRH China" as

part or their disaster information platform iRiskNet (http://www.irisknet.cn/enindex.php). Its construction is underway. • National DRH using DRH installation kit: Using the DRH installation kit prepared by NIED (see 4.1), construction of

national DRH platforms are being pursued. The development can be in their national languages by using the multi-lingual mechanism of the DRH system. So far, the DRH installation kit has been offered to Bangladesh (BDPC), Nepal (NSET), and Iran (IEEA).

We are thus in a phase to promote collaboration among these regional DRH platforms that will in the end constitute "DRH Alliance".

5.2 DRH Activity Bases In order to activate DRH practices in the post-project period (April 2009~), following efforts have been taken.

• DRH Consortium: Establishment of DRH Consortium was endorsed in the 2nd Annual DRH Workshop, Beijing, February

2008 (DRH Consortium, 2008). The purposes of the DRH Consortium are to make collaborative efforts toward: 1. Maintaining, upgrading and promoting use of DRH for effective disaster risk reduction in vulnerable communities; 2. Promoting the application of new technologies for disaster reduction and taking other appropriate measures to strengthen

implementation technologies; and 3. Promoting international cooperation in research and education on disaster reduction.

On this basis, the DRH Consortium International Workshop toward Implementation Science for Disaster Risk Reduction (1st DRH Consortium General Assembly) was held in Kyoto on 12 and 15 October 2009, where DRH Consortium - Kyoto Resolution 2009 was adopted. The Resolution addresses issues on DRH Web system enhancement and dissemination, DRH

Fig.2: Examples of DRH Contents (DRH-Asia)

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Contents developments and utilization, Management of DRH system, and DRH Consortium activities (DRH Consortium -Kyoto Resolution 2009).

• Joining IDRiM Society: In the IDRiM Forum09 held in Kyoto, 12-16 October 2009, founding the International Society of Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRiM Society) was declared. As DRH developments have been conducted in close cooperation with the IDRiM activity frame, it was endorsed that DRH will be an important component of the IDRiM Society.

6. CONCLUSIONS The conclusions of this article may be summarized as follows:

(1) Concept of Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) and the framework of the DRH Project (DRH-Asia) were presented. (2) DRR technology and knowledge that DRH-Asia pursues was defined as "Implementation technology". Its criteria were

elaborated. (3) Framework of DRH-Asia was presented in terms of its basic structure, criteria for DRH contents acceptance, and DRH

Template. (4) System development of DRH-Asia was explained as to the DRH web-system development, facilitation mechanism of DRH

contents, and compilation of DRH contents. (5) A perspective to "DRH Alliance" was addressed from the view points of the development of regional DRH platforms (Asia,

Europe/Africa, etc.) and an institutional issue including the DRH Consortium and the IDRiM Society.

7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This article has been a quick but comprehensive review of the DRH-Asia development, and was co-authored by its direct contributors. In addition, deep appreciation of the DRH Project PI is extended to the authors of DRH contents proposals who are also great contributors by enriching the DRH Database.

8. REFERENCES DRH Consortium Charter (2008), endorsed at Third Annual DRH Workshop, Beijing, 21-22 February 2008

( http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase2/1Documents/11.declaration.pdf ) DRH Consortium - Kyoto Resolution 2009, First General Assembly of DRH Consortium and DRH International Workshop

toward Implementation Science for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kyoto, 12&15 October 2009 ( http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/post/en/events/22_DRH_Consortium_WS/0-DRH_C_WS_Session6_Resolution/6-4_DRH_C_WS_Resolution.pdf )

Kameda, Hiroyuki (2004), "EqTAP - a Multi-Disciplinary Innovation of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Reduction Research for Asia-Pacific Regions," Plenary Paper, ASIA Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Manila, 5-6 March 2004, pp.1-15. (EqTAP=Development of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Technologies and their Integration for the Asia-Pacific Region / project site: http://eqtap.edm.bosai.go.jp/ )

Kameda, Hiroyuki (2005), "On the EqTAP Project and Framework of the APEC-EqTAP Seminar - Disaster Reduction Research upon Implementation Strategies -," Proceedings of the APEC-EqTAP Seminar on Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Reduction, 27-28 September 2005, Jakarta, Indonesia, Overview Paper. ( http://eqtap.edm.bosai.go.jp/apec_eqtap/pdf/summary/2-1-Kameda.pdf ).

Kameda, Hiroyuki; Negishi, Hiroaki; Ikeda, Naho; Shiwaku, Koichi; and Taniguchi, Kayoko (2007), Proceedings of the Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) Contents Meeting, Kobe, 12-13 March 2007, EDM-NIED Editorial Team, November 2007 (http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase2/1Documents/8_Proceeding/Proceedings.htm )

Kameda, Hiroyuki; Ghafory-Ashtiany, Mohsen; Okada, Norio; Dixit, Amod Mani; Shaw, Rajib; and Sharma, Anshu (2008), Implementation Technology and Networking, -a Key to Disaster Reduction-, web Proceedings of the 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Beijing, 12-17 October 2008, Paper S22 ( http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase2/1Documents/16_14WCEE.pdf )

Scheer, Stefan; Benouar, Djillali (2010), Disaster Reduction Techniques From and For Africa – The Role of the DRH Europe/Africa Platform, IDRC 2010, Davos.

Tsukuba Resolution 2006, endorsed at Workshop on International Framework for Development of Disaster Reduction Technology List on Implementation Strategies "Disaster Reduction Hyperbase," Tsukuba, Japan, 27-28 February 2006 ( http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase1/CMMf/21%20060228%20Resolution%20(DRH%20WS-Tsukuba)%20F.pdf )

Working Group for Development of Disaster Reduction Technology List (Chair: Hiroyuki Kameda) (2005), "Disaster Reduction Technology List on Implementation Strategies -A Contribution from Japan-," Office for Disaster Reduction Research, MEXT, Government of Japan, Compiled for the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction, January 2005.