Spatial Risk Management and Climate Impact Research

INCA – Linking civil protection and planning by agreement on objectives (2009- 2010)

Current prevention of risks caused by natural hazards is fragmented, among others, between civil protection and spatial planning. Moreover, response to hazards influenced by climate change has to adapt to new challenges of uncertainty on an expected increase of extreme events. This calls for more flexibility and better coordination of response strategies by integrating the response-preparedness-prevention-remediation (RPPR-) chain. The INCA project aims to bridge spatial, functional and operational gaps and divergence in approach, competence and perspective between civil protection, spatial planning and other administrations in charge of prevention by a collaborative process with concrete results to make measures and actions of risk prevention and mitigation efficient, effective, strategically aligned and sustainable. For that purpose the concept of “Agreements on Objectives” on risk prevention and damage mitigation integrates non-structural and structural risk prevention and mitigation activities, offering a practical, goal-oriented consensual alternative to more rigid and restrictive spatial plans. The concept will lead to more efficient regional governance and flexibility in local risk prevention and response actions being embedded in a shared concept on a strategic level, considering the impact of actions on general policy and society. The concept is flexible and transferable to all spatial levels for all hazard types and for all Member States. Its wide application would lead to more structured and efficient ways for the organisation of transboundary measures for prevention of and coping with extreme events.

The test cases are: City of Dortmund (Germany), Area of Attica (Greece) and the Lazio Region (Italy).

Contact: Prof. Dr. Stefan Greiving, Dr.-Ing. Sylvia Wanczura

Further information: http://www.project-inca.eu

Other projects in this research area:

• RISK - Risk management via an Innovative System based on Knowledge (2013 - 2015)
• EMAPS - Electronic Maps to Assist Public Science (2011 - 2014)
• CHANGES (2011 - 2014)
• ERA NET Crue IMRA (2009 - 2011)
• MOVE – Methods for the Improvement of Vulnerability Assessment in Europe (2008 - 2011)
• ESPON 2013/1/4: Climate change and territorial effects on regions and local economies (2009 - 2011)
• Mountain Risks (2007 - 2010)
• Climate change-proof urban development (2009 - 2010)
• Assessment of upstream flood risk in the Rhine Basin (2008 - 2009)
• Preliminary studies for a spatial development strategy in a changing climate (2008 - 2009)
• Midir - Multidimensional Integrated Risk Governance (2006 - 2008)
• ARMONIA - Applied Multi Risk Mapping of Natural Hazards for Impact Assessment (2004 - 2007)
• ESPON 1.3.1: Spatial Impacts of Natural and Technological Hazards (2002 - 2005)