Multi-hazard risk modelling
In order to be able to design appropriate risk reduction measures to reduce the increasing impact of multi-hazard events, it is important to have tools to estimate the losses of these compounding events.
RiskChanges (www.RiskChanges.org) is an open-source, web-based tool built on Python scripts and integrated into a user-friendly graphical interface. It supports multi-hazard risk assessments, multiple asset types, a shared vulnerability curve database, spatial analysis, and collaborative, multi-user workflows. Users can upload their own data—including hazard maps, elements-at-risk, administrative boundaries, and vulnerability curves—to perform detailed risk and loss calculations. The tool enables comparisons between current conditions and future scenarios or planning alternatives, helping users evaluate and visualize risk more effectively
Multi-Hazard risk assessment requires the evaluation of the interaction between different hazards (e.g. occurring simultaneously, cascadingly or sequentially). These hazard interactions determine the way that is the impact is assessed.
The objective of this MSc research is to develop and evaluate a tool for the quantitative assessment of multi-hazard impacts for hazard types such as windstorms, floods, landslides and earthquakes. It involves a literature study on the way multi-hazards can be characterised and quantified. A model will be developed that will be implemented within the RiskChanges tool. Knowledge of Python programming is a requirement. The model will be tested in several areas related with ongoing international projects, funded by UNDRR , ESA or EU.
Hochrainer-Stigler, S., Šakić Trogrlić, R., Reiter, K., Ward, P. J., De Ruiter, M. C., Duncan, M. J., Torresan, S., Ciurean, R., Mysiak, J., Stuparu, D., & Gottardo, S. (2023). Toward a framework for systemic multi-hazard and multi-risk assessment and management. IScience, 26(5), 106736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106736
Alhalwachi, L. et al. (2025). Multi-hazard Risk Assessment Models in Disaster Management. In: Alaali, M., Musleh Al-Sartawi, A.M.A., Aydiner, A.S. (eds) The Paradigm Shift from a Linear Economy to a Smart Circular Economy. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, vol 586. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87550-2_70
Stalhandske, Z., Steinmann, C. B., Meiler, S., Sauer, I. J., Vogt, T., Bresch, D. N., & Kropf, C. M. (2024). Global multi-hazard risk assessment in a changing climate. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 5875. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55775-2