The Challenging Place of Natural Hazards in Disaster Risk Reduction Conceptual Models: Insights from Central Africa and the European Alps

Abstract

Based on a literature review and two case studies, this article presents the difficulties inherent in the main disaster risk reduction conceptual models. The method used to highlight such evidence is to compare two programs on disaster risk reduction with mainstream conceptual models. The authors participated in these programs, which were confronted with the need to integrate contributions and insights from both earth and social sciences. Our analysis found that the existing main conceptual models were unable to do justice to disaster risk reduction needs. This finding encouraged us to critique these models. Further effort led us to present possible solutions to compensate for the shortcomings of current models while taking into account the contextualization and dynamics of phenomena, as well as grappling with the more explicit integration of hazards and hazard risk into model design.

Keywords

Central Africa / Conceptual models / Disaster risk reduction / Natural hazards / Northern French Alps

References

[1] Aitsi-Selmi A, Murray V, Wannous C, Dickinson C, Johnston D, Kawasaki A, Stevance T, Yeung T. Reflections on a science and technology agenda for 21st century disaster risk reduction. International Journal Of Disaster Risk Science, 2016, 7(1): 1-29.

[2] Baccini P, Brunner PH. Metabolism of the anthroposphere: Analysis, Evaluation, Design, 2012, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

[3] Balegamire C, Michellier C, Muhigwa JB, Delvaux D, Imani G, Dewitte O. Vulnerability of buildings exposed to landslides: A spatio-temporal assessment in Bukavu (DR Congo) (Vulnérabilité du bâti face aux glissements de terrain:analyse spatio-temporelle à Bukavu [RD Congo]). Geo-Eco-Trop, 2017, 41(2): 263-278 (in French)

[4] Bergson H. Introduction to metaphysics (Introduction à la métaphysique), 1934, Paris: Presses Universitaires de France

[5] Birkmann J. Measuring vulnerability to natural hazards: Towards disaster resilient societies, 2006, Tokyo: United Nations University Press

[6] Birkmann, J., and B. Wisner. 2006. Measuring the un-measurable: The challenge of Vulnerability. Report of the second meeting of the UNU-EHS expert working group on measuring vulnerability, 12–14 October 2005, Bonn, Germany. Institute for Environment and Human Security, United Nations University.

[7] Blaikie P, Cannon T, Davis I, Wisner B. At risk: Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters, 1994, New York: Routledge

[8] CRED (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters). 2015. EM-DAT international disaster database. https://www.emdat.be/. Accessed 27 Mar 2020.

[9] Collins AE. Advancing the disaster and development paradigm. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2018, 9(4): 486-495.

[10] Cumming GS. Spatial resilience in social-ecological systems, 2011, Dordrecht: Springer

[11] Cutter SL, Barnes L, Berry M, Burton C, Evans E, Tate E, Webb J. A place-based model for understanding community resilience to natural disasters. Global Environmental Change, 2008, 18(4): 598-606.

[12] Depicker, A., L. Jacobs, D. Delvaux, H.-B. Havenith, J.-C. Maki Mateso, G. Govers, and O. Dewitte. 2020. The added value of a regional landslide susceptibility assessment: The western branch of the East African Rift. Geomorphology 353: Article 106886.

[13] Dille, A., F. Kervyn, T. Mugaruka Bibentyo, D. Delvaux, G. Bamulezi Ganza, G. Mawe Ilombe, C. Kalikone Buzera, et al. 2019. Causes and triggers of deep-seated hillslope instability in the tropics—Insights from a 60-year record of Ikoma landslide (DR Congo). Geomorphology 345: Article 106835.

[14] Duncan, D., S. Scherer, and S. Wade-Apicella. 2014. HFA thematic review: Research area 2, priority for action 3, core indicator 1. Background paper prepared for the global assessment report on disaster risk reduction 2015. Geneva, Switzerland: UNISDR. https://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/2015/en/bgdocs/UNISDR,%202014c.pdf. Accessed 16 Dec 2019.

[15] Dupont C, Pigeon P. Rhône River upper montainous watershed: Towards an integrated management of transboundary territories (Le Haut-Rhône et son bassin versant montagneux: pour une gestion intégrée des territoires transfrontaliers), 2008, Le Bourget-du-Lac: Institut de la Montagne, Université de Savoie (in French)

[16] Dupuy J. For enlightened catastrophism (Pour un catastrophisme éclairé), 2002, Paris: Le Seuil

[17] Durand P. Systemic (La systémique), 1979, Paris: Presses Universitaires de France

[18] Fekete A, Hufschmidt G. Atlas of vulnerability and resilience: Pilot version for Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, 2016, Köln and Bonn: TH Köln and University of Bonn

[19] Fra Paleo U. Timescape of disaster risk governance in contemporary Japan: Neither state of normalcy nor constancy in regulation. PLoS ONE, 2019, 14: 1-16.

[20] Garcia-Acosta V. Risk as a social construct and the social construction of risk (El riesgo como construcción social y la construcción social de riesgos). Desacatos: Revista de Ciencias Sociales, 2005, 19: 11-24 (in Spanish)

[21] Gill JC, Malamud BD. Hazard interactions and interaction networks (cascades) within multi-hazard methodologies. Earth System Dynamics, 2016, 7(3): 659-679.

[22] Gill JC, Malamud BD. Anthropogenic processes, natural hazards, and interactions in a multi-hazard framework. Earth-Science Reviews, 2017, 166: 246-269.

[23] Guillier F. French insurance and flood risk: Assessing the impact of prevention through the rating of action programs for flood prevention. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2017, 8(3): 284-295.

[24] Gunderson LH, Holling CS. Panarchy: Understanding transformations in human and natural systems, 2002, Washington, DC: Inland Press

[25] Hewitt K. Interpretations of calamity, 1983, Boston: Allen and Unwin

[26] Jacobs L, Dewitte O, Poesen J, Sekajugo J, Nobile A, Rossi M, Thiery W, Kervyn M. Field-based landslide susceptibility assessment in a data-scarce environment: The populated areas of the Rwenzori Mountains. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 2018, 18: 105-124.

[27] Jacobs L, Maes J, Mertens K, Sekajugo J, Thiery W, van Lipzig NN, Poesen J, Kervyn M, Dewitte O. Reconstruction of a flash flood event through a multi-hazard approach: Focus on the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. Natural Hazards, 2016, 84(2): 851-876.

[28] Kalikone Buzera C, Teganyi F, Dewitte O, Michellier C. Ground deformation impact on the vulnerability of water and electricity distribution networks in Bukavu (DR Congo). Geo-Eco-Trop, 2017, 41(2): 279-292.

[29] Kelman I. Lost for words amongst disaster risk science vocabulary?. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2018, 9(2): 281-291.

[30] Kulimushi Matabaro S, Mugaruka Bibentyo T, Muhindo Sahani W, Michellier C, Dewitte O. Landslides and elements at risk in the Wesha watershed (Bukavu, DR Congo). Geo-Eco-Trop, 2017, 41(2): 233-248.

[31] Lewis J. Development in disaster-prone places: Studies of vulnerability, 1999, London: Intermediate Technology Publications

[32] Lewis J. Corruption: The hidden perpetrator of under-development and vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 2011, 3(2): 464-475.

[33] Lopez-Pelaez J, Pigeon P. Co-evolution between structural mitigation measures and urbanization in France and Colombia: A comparative analysis of disaster risk management policies based on disaster databases. Habitat International, 2011, 35(4): 573-581.

[34] Maes J, Kervyn M, de Hontheim A, Dewitte O, Jacobs L, Mertens K, Vanmaercke M, Vranken L, Poesen J. Landslide risk reduction measures. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 2017, 41(2): 191-221.

[35] Maes J, Parra C, Mertens K, Bwambale B, Jacobs L, Poesen J, Dewitte O, Vranken L Questioning network governance for disaster risk management: Lessons learnt from landslide risk management in Uganda. Environmental Science & Policy, 2018, 85: 163-171.

[36] Magny M. Origins of the Anthropocene: Ecological crisis mirroring a crisis of humankind (Aux racines de l’anthropocène; Une crise écologique reflet d’une crise de l’homme), 2019, Lormont, France: Le bord de.l’eau (in French)

[37] Maki Mateso J-CI, Dewitte O. Towards an inventory of landslide processes and the elements at risk on the Rift flanks west of Lake Kivu (DRC) (Vers un inventaire des glissements de terrain et des éléments à risque sur les versants du Rift à l’ouest du Lac Kivu (RDC)). Geo-Eco-Trop, 2014, 38(1): 137-154.

[38] Menoni S, Margottini C. Inside risk: A strategy for sustainable risk mitigation, 2011, Berlin: Springer

[39] Michellier C, Delvaux D, Dewitte O, D’Oreye N, Havenith H-B, Kervyn M, Poppe S, Smets B Geo-risk in central Africa: Integrating multi-hazards and vulnerability to support risk management, 2018, Brussels: Belgian Earth Obervation

[40] Moeyersons J, Tréfois P, Lavreau J, Alimasi D, Badriyo I, Matima B, Mundala M, Munganga DO A geomorphological assessment of landslide origin at Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Engineering Geology, 2004, 72(1): 73-87.

[41] Monsieurs E, Jacobs L, Michellier C, Basimike Tchangaboba J, Bamulzi Ganza G, Kervyn F, Maki Mateso J-C, Mugaruka Bibentyo T Landslide inventory for hazard assessment in data-poor context: A regional-scale approach in Central Africa. Landslides, 2018, 15(11): 2195-2209.

[42] Morin E. Introduction to complex thinking (Introduction à la pensée complexe), 2010, Paris: Points

[43] Mougin P. Montainous rivers of Savoy (Les torrents de la Savoie), 1914, Chambéry: Savoy Natural History Society, Société d’Histoire naturelle de Savoie (in French)

[44] Mugaruka Bibentyo T, Kulimushi Matabaro S, Muhindo Sahani W, Dewitte O. Anatomy of Nyakavogo landslide (Bukavu, DR Congo): Interplay between natural and anthropogenic factors (Glissement de terrain de Nyakavogo (Bukavu, RD Congo): interaction entre facteurs naturels et anthropiques). Geo-Eco-Trop, 2017, 41(2): 249-262 (in French)

[45] Nobile, A., A. Dille, E. Monsieurs, J. Basimike Tchangaboba, T. Mugaruka Bibentyo, N. D’Oreye, F. Kervyn, and O. Dewitte. 2018. Multi temporal DInSAR to characterise landslide ground deformations in a tropical urban environment: Focus on Bukavu (DR Congo). Remote Sensing 10(4): Article 626.

[46] Nojavan, M., E. Salehi, and B. Omidvar. 2018. Conceptual change of disaster management models: A thematic analysis. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 10(1): Article 451.

[47] Oliver-Smith A. The martyred city: Death and rebirth in the Andes, 1986, Albuquerque: University of New-Mexico press

[48] Peiry JL, Salvador PG, Nouguier F. River-bed incision in the Northern Alps: A state of the art (L’incision des rivières dans les Alpes du Nord: état de la question). Revue de Géographie Alpine, 1994, 69(1): 47-56.

[49] Piegay H. New principles relating to the management of braided streamways: Example of the mid-Giffre valley in Haute-Savoie (Principes nouveaux en matière de gestion des marges de rivières en tresses). Revue de Géographie Alpine, 1997, 85(2): 33-48 (in French)

[50] Pigeon, P. 2002. Reflections on the geography of so-called natural hazards (Réflexions sur la géographie des risques dits naturels). H.D.R. thesis, Université de Nice-Sophia-Antipolis (in French).

[51] Pigeon P. Géographie critique des risques, 2005, Paris: Anthropos

[52] Pigeon, P. 2014. Dike risk: Defending a systemic and geopolitical reconsideration of environmental risks (Risque digue: Une justification à la relecture systémique et géopolitique des risques environnementaux). L’espace Politique 24: Article 3.

[53] Pigeon P. Sudmeier-Rieux K, Fernández K, Penna I, Jaboyedoff I, Gaillard JC. Dike risk: Revealing the academic links between disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, climate change and migration. Identifying emerging issues in disaster risk reduction, migration, climate change and sustainable development: Shaping debates and policies, 2016, London: Springer 67-80.

[54] Pigeon P, Rebotier J. Disaster prevention policies, 2016, London: Elsevier

[55] Renaud FG, Sudmeier-Rieux K, Estrella M. The role of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction, 2013, Bonn: United Nations University Press

[56] Reyntjens F. The great African war—Congo and regional geopolitics, 1996–2006, 2009, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

[57] Rockström J, Falkenmark M, Folke C, Lannerstad M, Barron J, Enfors E. Water resilience for human prosperity, 2014, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

[58] Shi P, Jaeger C, Ye Q. Integrated risk governance: Science plan and case studies of large-scale disasters, 2013, London: Springer

[59] Shi P, Kasperson R. World atlas of natural disaster risk, 2014, New York: Springer

[60] Sidle RC, Bogaard TA. Dynamic earth system and ecological controls of rainfall-initiated landslides. Earth-Science Reviews, 2016, 159: 275-291.

[61] Turner BL, Kasperson RE, Matson PA, McCarthy JJ, Corell RW, Christensen L, Eckley N, Kasperson JX A framework for vulnerability analysis in sustainability science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2003, 100(14): 8074-8079.

[62] UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction). 2009. UNISDR terminology on disaster risk reduction. Geneva, Switzerland: UNISDR. https://www.unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf.

[63] UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction). 2015. Making development sustainable: The future of disaster risk management. Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR), Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=400&nr=2046&menu=1515. Accessed 14 Dec 2019.

[64] UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction). 2017. UNISDR terminology on disaster risk reduction. Geneva, Switzerland: UNISDR. https://www.unisdr.org/files/52828_nationaldisasterriskassessmentpart1.pdf. Accessed 19 Feb 2020.

[65] Wisner B, Blaikie P, Cannon T, Davis I. At risk: Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters, 2004 2 London: Routledge

[66] Wisner B, Gaillard JC, Kelman I. Framing disaster: The Routledge handbook of hazard and disaster risk reduction, 2012, London: Routledge