The SASPARM2.0 Project
The work of the project is divided in 8 operative tasks, which operate within the framework of a Web-Based Platform (WBP) (task G) for seismic risk mitigation. The WBP integrates a database (DB) to collect vulnerability data on buildings (task B), self-assessment tools to allow common people and practitioners to understand potentially unsafe situations (task F) and how to mitigate the risk related to critical situations (task C). Training will play a fundamental role in the project activities and the target groups are students, practitioners, citizens and stakeholders (task D). The knowledge of seismic risk pending on individual properties will raise the awareness of citizens on the related seismic hazard and will help them to be addressed towards policy for risk management aimed to mitigate the socio-economic losses such as insurance coverage (task E). The WBP will constitute the tool linking the different actors and policies throughout the disaster management cycle, which translates into operational the technical data provided for the risk assessment to be used by the risk management governance. Nablus city will represent the real case-of-study for the implementation and calibration of the project actions. The latter will then be extended to the other Palestinian municipalities through the direct involvement of the above mentioned targeted groups. The interaction between project tasks is shown in the following figure. In addition to those shown in the plot, the tasks of project management (task A) and publicity (task H) will be implemented.
To start
The first step will be the definition of building taxonomy in Palestine, the increase of perception of citizens on seismic risk and the capacity building of practitioners and students on the same subject.
Data collection
Two different data collection forms will be realized whose level of detail will depend on the degree of knowledge of the target users. The collection of data trough the forms, in fact, will be done by ordinary citizens and practitioners who will have an active part in the process of collecting data on site. All these information will be used to identify the vulnerability of the buildings according to their structural type. Appropriate retrofit measure for the mitigation of seismic risk will be suggested to the end users of the platform.
Courses
Training courses for students , practitioners and citizens, with different level of detail will be organized. The courses arranged for students will contribute to create a new generation of Civil Protection Volunteers (CPVs) who will support the Palestinian Civil Defence Directorate (CDD). Students will help citizens during the collection of vulnerability data in SASPARM 2.0.
WEBGIS Platform
A web platform will be realized that, by managing the structural data collected on field, will achieve to assess the vulnerability and quantify the seismic risk. Mitigation measure as a function of vulnerable condition detected will be suggested through the platform. The platform will also be equipped with GIS functionality (WEBGIS) thanks to which the stakeholders will have the possibility to identify critical conditions, since the results of seismic risk will be integrated in maps with a very good graphic support.