SICURO+: A web platform to raise awareness on seismic risk in Italy

Abstract

Italy is a country with high seismic risk. In the past many catastrophic earthquakes have occurred causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructures, serious economic impacts, and the loss of thousands of human lives. To mitigate the impact of seismic risk, as well as of other risks, many efforts have been made, implementing preventive structural measures and acting to raise awareness in the community. In Italy, this need was strengthened with the emanation of the new Civil Protection Code (D.Lgs January 2, 2018 n.1), with the purpose of encouraging the participation of citizens and spreading risk knowledge and the culture of civil protection, thus contributing to “increase the resilience of communities” (art. 31). As part of the agreement between the Italian Civil Protection Department (ICPD) and EUCENTRE (European Centre for training and research in Earthquake Engineering), an interactive web-tool was developed to allow citizens to display the most updated seismic risk maps. These maps were produced in 2018 by the ICPD, with the relevant support of the scientific community operating in the field of seismic risk, in particular of ReLUIS (The Laboratories University Network of seismic engineering) and EUCENTRE. The web-tool, named SICURO+ (Information System for Risk Communication, www.sicuropiu.it), was created to raise awareness in citizens on seismic risk in the place where they live, work, or go on holiday. Communication strategies and behavioural techniques were designed and tested experimentally with the support of behavioural scientists, as part of an agreement between the National School of Administration and the Prime Minister's Office.