Developing physical resilience strategies in passive defense according to identification of endangered areas of urban environments (case study: Ahvaz city)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mozhdeh Pouryarmohammadi ◽  
Hasan Ahmadi ◽  
AliAkbar Salaripour
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Companies

Purpose This paper aims to focus on reducing the vulnerability of Ahvaz city against urban disasters and lowering the number of casualties and amount of financial losses using modern approaches to develop resilience strategies that can increase urban safety to an acceptable level. The strategic situation of Ahvaz city, because of its abundant resources, the war experience and its location on the boundary regions of Iran, highlights its significance. Ahvaz has a high population and an extended texture, and the existence of extraordinary constructions increases the importance of physical resilience in this city. Design/methodology/approach The present study investigates built environment aspects such as the urban structure, the urban form, land-use proximity pattern, urban road network and crucial and vulnerable centres in Ahvaz, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Hence, the areas at risk in Ahvaz were identified and illustrated in a comprehensive risk assessment map, and then, by using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats technique and finally by using the Delphi method, some strategies and plans were presented to reduce the level of vulnerability in Ahvaz. Then, these strategies are prioritized by applying quality function deployment (QFD) technique. Findings The risk assessment result shows that most parts of Ahvaz’s urban areas are highly at risk. The central and northern parts of Ahvaz have the highest vulnerability at a time of crisis. These zones include district 1 (city centre) and districts 2, 3 and 7 at the city’s margins. The result of QFD process showed that the essential urban resilience strategy is to positively consider the passive defence studies with a physical resilience approach. Also, the proper distribution of strategic points in the city, moving the industrial and oil companies from the peripheral area, and facilitating access to vital, crucial centres to support urban regions are considered the most effective strategic plans. Originality/value This paper, with an integrated approach, examines and prioritizes the main physical problems of Ahvaz city based on the spatial analysis and opinions of experts. The physical strategies presented in this paper can significantly reduce the risks and increase the urban resilience of Ahvaz city in the face of crisis.

scholarly journals EARTHQUAKE RISK MITIGATION: THE IMPACT OF SEISMIC RETROFITTING STRATEGIES ON URBAN RESILIENCE

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Miguel FERREIRA ◽  
Rui MAIO
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Seismic Retrofitting ◽  
Structural Safety ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Masonry Building ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
The Impact

It is recognized that both community and urban resilience depends on the capacity of built environment to maintain acceptable structural safety levels during and after unforeseeable events, such as earthquakes, as well as to recover their original functionality. Investing in disaster risk mitigation policies is a great step towards promoting urban resilience and community preparedness, implicitly limiting damage to the built environment and subsequently reducing human, economic and environmental losses. Portugal is a moderate to high seismic prone area as the latest estimates indicate that within the next 50 years the country could be severely hit by a strong quake similar to the histori­cal 1755 event, which left a trail of destruction and death, mainly in densely populated areas, such as Lisbon. This manuscript aims to mitigate the impact of earthquake damage scenarios on social and economical terms, as well as evaluating the outcome of implementing traditional retrofitting strategies to existing masonry building stock located in urban areas of high seismic risk, using the old city centre of Horta, Faial island (Azores, Portugal), as a case study.

Estimating the consequences of wildfire for wildfire risk assessment, a case study in the southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2104-2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Tutsch ◽  
Wolfgang Haider ◽  
Ben Beardmore ◽  
Kenneth Lertzman ◽  
Andrew B. Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
At Risk ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Loss Of Life ◽  
Wildfire Risk ◽  
The Common ◽  
Gulf Islands ◽  
In Fire

Wildfire risk assessment research has made considerable progress towards estimating the probability of wildfires but comparatively little progress towards estimating the expected consequences of potential fires. One challenge with estimating wildfire consequences has been to identify a common metric that can be applied to consequences measured in different units. In this paper, we use the preferences of representatives of local fire management agencies as the common consequences metric and apply it to a case study in the southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada. The method uses an expert survey and a maximum-difference conjoint analysis to establish the relative importance of specific fire consequences. A fire with a major potential for loss of life was considered to be about three times worse than major damage to houses and 4.5 times worse than loss of a rare species. Risk ratings were very sensitive to changes in fire consequences ratings. As the complexity of values at risk and number of stakeholders increase, the most efficient allocation of wildfire prevention, protection, and suppression resources becomes increasingly challenging to determine. Thus, as the complexity of stakeholder representation and values at risk increases, we need to pay increasing attention to quantitative methods for measuring wildfire consequences.

An integrated approach for healthcare services risk assessment and quality enhancement

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 1183-1208
Author(s):  
Mahdad Pourmadadkar ◽  
Mohammad Ali Beheshtinia ◽  
Kamran Ghods
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Multiple Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Quality Enhancement ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce an integrated approach using failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM), mathematical modeling and quality function deployment (QFD) techniques, for risk assessment and service quality enhancement in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Design/methodology/approach First, the disruptions in the CABG process are identified and prioritized following FMEA instructions, using two MCDM techniques, called analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and TOPSIS. Consequently, several corrective activities are identified and weighted on the basis of QFD. Finally, a mathematical model is established to determine the most cost-effective activities for implementation. The approach is developed in a fuzzy environment to reflect the uncertainty and ambiguity of human reasoning. Findings Regarding the CABG process disruption, a total of 30 failure modes in four main categories were identified and prioritized. Moreover, eight corrective activities were devised and ranked according to their impact on the failure modes. Finally, considering a limited amount of budget, a sensitivity analysis on the mathematical model’s objective function indicated that using 30 percent of the total budget, required to implement all corrective activities, was enough to cover more than 70 percent of the effects of corrective activities on the failure modes. Originality/value This paper contributes to the quality risk assessment knowledge by introducing an integrated approach to evaluate and improve healthcare services quality. Also, the case study conducted on the CABG process has not been done by other related studies in the literature.

Aligning customer requirements and organizational constraints to service processes and strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1018-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Paltayian ◽  
Katerina D. Gotzamani ◽  
Andreas C. Georgiou ◽  
Andreas Andronikidis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Customer Requirements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Improvement Strategies

Purpose Recognizing the fundamental role of quality as a means to differentiate service organizations, the purpose of this paper is to propose a strategic decision making framework for service organizations, which prioritizes performance improvement strategies that are rooted to customer requirements, organizational goals and constrained by organizational resources. Design/methodology/approach The proposed framework is realized through the implementation of two stages and four distinct phases mirroring the combination of enhanced quality function deployment (first stage), and zero-one goal programming (second stage). It proposes the utilization of a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, and the collection of data from multiple sources including customers, middle, and top management. Findings The application and validation of the proposed framework utilizes information from both customers and employees in the bank services sector. Overall, results from the specific study revealed that a combination of “reengineering” and “expansion” strategies was more appropriate corresponding to customer priorities, organizational goals and effective utilization of available resources. Originality/value The paper presents a novel two stage strategic framework for service organizations. It utilizes a balanced mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods in an effort to capture and delineate elusive customer requirements and design characteristics of services, allowing the assessment of different combinations of quality improvement strategies in response to management objectives.

scholarly journals A HARMONISE’d approach to building security-driven urban resilience: a call to arms

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Coaffee ◽  
Jonathan Clarke ◽  
Peadar T. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Practice Gaps

Purpose – Resilience is a topical concept in many academic disciplines world-wide and also among practitioners. In Europe, however, the current conceptualisations of urban resilience are highly specific to institutional contexts, national cultures and traditions and emergent risks faced in particular countries and their urban areas. The differences in how urban resilience is understood and applied are important, and yet such differences are only scarcely addressed in current resilience literature. This paper draws from the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration security project HARMONISE – A Holistic Approach to Resilience and Systematic Actions to Make Large Scale Built Infrastructure Secure. Design/methodology/approach – The project develops a comprehensive, multifaceted, yet mutually reinforcing concept for the enhanced security, resilience and sustainability of urban infrastructure and development. As part of the project, 61 experts were interviewed in six European countries (UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Finland) to establish a comprehensive understanding of the current role and position of resilience in urban-built infrastructure. These interviews elicit the current views of professionals from a number of contributory and competing disciplines. Findings – Results indicate that there is no shared holistic understanding of urban resilience in Europe. The definitions of the concept vary across disciplines. The research identifies that there are a number of existing theoretical and practice gaps that require to be addressed. Originality/value – This paper presents a number of research and practice “gaps” which are being addressed in the HARMONISE project and which require to be addressed by the wider academic and practice communities.

scholarly journals 160 Years of Borders Evolution in Dunkirk: Petroleum, Permeability, and Porosity

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 58-68
Author(s):  
Stephan Hauser ◽  
Penglin Zhu ◽  
Asma Mehan
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Historical Study ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Port Cities ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
The North

Since the 1860s, petroleum companies, through their influence on local governments, port authorities, international actors and the general public gradually became more dominant in shaping the urban form of ports and cities. Under their development and pressure, the relationships between industrial and urban areas in port cities hosting oil facilities evolved in time. The borders limiting industrial and housing territories have continuously changed with industrial places moving progressively away from urban areas. Such a changing dynamic influenced the permeability of these borders. Port cities are nodes and logistic points where various flows of commodities, wealth, and knowledge gathered before further re‐distribution. These flows affected port cities by changing their spatial organization and the availabiity of space between borders. The main question here is: How did industrial and urban borders evolve through time in port cities? Through a historical analysis, the article explores the settlements of oil facilities and the influence of oil companies over local, regional, and national governments in creating borders and how it influenced the porosity of port cities. This article, through the petroleum narrative, illustrates the impacts of past borders on the contemporary urban form through the evolution of the French port city of Dunkirk, in the North of France. As a historical study, the article analyzes the changing relationships between petroleum industrial sites and housing areas in the city of Dunkirk, using aerial pictures, archival sources, and regulations of different periods. The importance of this analysis lies in knowing that former oil sites previously located on the periphery of Dunkirk, that were forgotten by the authorities are now located within the current urban tissue. This process demonstrates the importance of historical developments to understand current challenges in the urban planning of industrial port cities.

The Status of Livelihood Vulnerability and Its CopingCapacities of Urban Squatters in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal

Patan Pragya ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-32
Author(s):  
Chhabi Ram Baral
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
The Status

Urban poverty is one of multidimensional issue in Nepal. Increasing immigration from the outer parts of Kathmandu due to rural poverty, unemployment and weak security of the lives and the properties are core causes pushing people into urban areas. In this context how squatter urban area people sustain their livelihoods is major concern. The objectives of the study are to find out livelihood assets and capacities squatters coping with their livelihood vulnerability in adverse situation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are applied for data collection. It is found that squatters social security is weak, victimized by severe health problems earning is not regular with lack of physical facilities and overall livelihood is critical. This study helps to understand what the changes that have occurred in livelihood patterns and how poor people survive in urban area.

Using the private finance initiative for energy efficiency projects at the urban scale

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto De Marco ◽  
Giulio Mangano ◽  
Fania Valeria Michelucci ◽  
Giovanni Zenezini
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Project Finance ◽  
Private Finance Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Alternate Forms ◽  
Private Investors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest the usage of the project finance (PF) scheme as a suitable mechanism to fund energy efficiency projects at the urban scale and present its advantages and adoption barriers. Design/methodology/approach – A case study is developed to renew the traffic lighting system of an Italian town via replacement of the old lamps with new light-emitting diode (LED) technology. Several partners are involved in the case project to construct a viable PF arrangement. Findings – The case study presents the viability of the proposed PF scheme that provides for acceptable financial returns and bankability. However, it also shows that the need for short concession periods may call for a public contribution to the initial funding to make the project more attractive to private investors. Practical implications – This case study is a useful guideline for governments and promoters to using the PF arrangement to fund energy efficiency investments in urban settings. It helps designing an appropriate PF scheme and understanding the advantages of PF to reduce risk and, consequently, increase the debt leverage and profitability of energy efficiency projects. Originality/value – This paper contributes to bridging the gap about the lack of works addressing the implementation of the PF mechanism in the energy efficiency sector in urban areas. The importance of this paper is also associated with the shortage of traditional public finance faced by many cities that forces to seek for alternate forms of financing.

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