Disaster Risk Reduction in Complex City Systems (with a possibility of 2D or 3D analysis)

Urban systems consist of multiple interrelated components that include both physical and social structures, among them people, organizations, infrastructures, technology and the economy. In such an environment, how a disruption in one sub-system could affect the entire urban system cannot be foreseen in every detail prior to a disaster. In this research, you will work on consequences of uncertain interactions in urban systems due to dynamic and interactive conditions, involvements of multiple actors and changing technologies and cultures.

Dynamic and interactive conditions: The outcome of actions, which are defined in the plan by regulations, could be different than anticipated due to the constantly changing environment. In such a situation, new decisions, which are not defined in the plan, have to be taken with limited knowledge of the current situation.

Involvement of multiple actors: Organizations, institutions, people, activities are as many parts of a system as its physical artefacts and all of them are dynamic and interlinked in nature. The interdependencies bind individual and collective actions, as well as physical elements in cities.

Changing technologies and cultures: Technology can either trigger the disturbance or become part of the solution itself. The question of how organizations and institutions could adapt to changes in technology is key to smart and liveable cities.

Case study area will be selected together with students.