Exploring issues limiting the use of knowledge in disaster risk reduction

ISBN/ISSN: 1970-9889 (print) | 1970-9870 (on line)
Author(s): Norton, John; Atun, Funda; Dandoulaki, Miranda
Number of pages: 25 p.

Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment; Special Issue ECCA (2015), pp. 135-154; doi: 10.6092/1970-9870/3032

This paper highlights issues that appear to have hampered the development and use of knowledge and discusses what these imply for applying (or not) the concept of smart cities in different contexts. The conclusions are based on the findings of four sets of work in the context of the KNOW-4-DRR project. From the findings of these activities, it emerges that although there are differences in context, risk and culture, there is a surprising degree of commonality in opinions about why there is insufficient development and application of knowledge for disaster risk reduction, despite the large volumes of information developed on this subject. As regards ICTs, findings suggest that technology, although useful, is not the sole solution for knowledge-based decision making for DRR. A final conclusion is that no matter how useful, knowledge itself is not a panacea for DRR. Decision-making is invariably influenced by conflicting priorities, objectives and constraints, and not necessarily in all stakeholders’ interests or even reflecting their objectives.