Abstract
The present paper describes the process of moving from a research study of most common vulnerable non-structural elements, to deliver solutions, tools and guidelines to improve understanding of and responsiveness to community concerns about seismic risk and non-structural elements. The observed damage to non-structural elements following recent earthquakes in Italy, Portugal and Iceland, were used for designing communication tools under the KnowRISK EU project for multi-stakeholders (students, business and citizens): the Practical Guide, the Students Short Guide, the KnowRISK Portfolio of Solutions, the Move, Protect and Secure video, the augmented reality apps, the maquettes, the students notebooks, videos, board games and hands-on tools. The philosophy behind these deliverables is that some risks, once identified, can be eliminated or reduced by informing people and suggesting preventive or emergency measures. These tools are devoted to improving the seismic performance of non-structural elements and to reduce the associated economic losses, loss of functionality, and potential threats to life safety. The rationale behind the selection of the information that people need to know for converting knowledge to more safety is discussed and a description of the transference of the findings of research to communication solutions is presented. The tools were planned following the engagement-model in risk communication to ensure that needs of communities and selected stakeholders were acknowledged, and that recipients are addressed in a way that appeals to them. Different media and communication channels such as print, television, online, face-to face communication and interviews were used for risk communication.
Highlights
Earthquakes are a major threat in many European countries
Recent earthquakes have shown that losses from seismic damage to non-structural elements (NSE) can far exceed that to structural elements [Filiatrault and Sullivan, 2014]
The design of communication tools stands on a shared view among experts from different fields revolving around seismic risk and, more precisely, seismologists, engineers, architects, risk communication researchers, sociologists and design professionals
Summary
Earthquakes are a major threat in many European countries. Nowadays they are still a substantial cause of disasters, no matter the enforcement of building regulations. The selection had the objective to provide scientific knowledge on the potential impact of damage and to derive appropriate approach and priorities for risk communication Such knowledge is relevant for further scientific assessments including research/design of disaster management systems at a wider scale. In this paper we would like to share with the scientific community the approach used to achieve such a task with the ambitious goal of providing guidelines to design tools that can effectively support risk communication in other European countries. This paper addresses the issue of the selection of the information that people need to know in order to take actions on their safety This information is derived from the analysis of most common NSD in the project pilot areas presented in the first part of this study [Ferreira et al, 2020]. In order to fulfil stakeholders’ needs, overcome obstacles and prompt actions, the tools’ design stood on specific analysis of such interested parties and their engagement in the planning process as well as in the validation phase
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