NEHRP Clearinghouse

Title
White Paper on the SDR Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction.
File
PB2007105144.pdf
Author(s)
Bruneau, M.; Filiatrault, A.; Lee, G.; O'Rourke, T.; Reinhorn, A.; Shinozuka, M.; Tierney, K.
Source
National Science Foundation, Washington, DC., December 5, 2006, 46 p.
Identifying Number(s)
MCEER-05-SP09
Abstract
This White Paper volunteers the perspectives of MCEERs Executive Committee on factors to consider in the formulation of a national research strategy for disaster loss reduction. It is a commentary on the Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction report, published by the Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction (SDR) of the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. In the paper, MCEER advocates that a critical part of this research effort should focus on the mitigation of, and response to, the impact of extreme events on critical facilities and lifelines. The failure of these key infrastructure systems is the cause of most of the disruption during and following disasters. In this context, national needs require that solutions be integrated across various hazards. However, the objective to achieve a synergy of solutions across the continuum of hazards is something that has just barely begun to be exploited or even investigated.
Keywords
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER); Disasters; Research strategies; Critical facilities; Response; Challenges; Disaster loss reduction; Infrastructure systems; Mitigation