SDI for Disaster Management to support sustainable development

SDI for Disaster Management to support sustainable development

Figure 3: Core Components of Web-Based System and Their Relations
As Figure 2 shows, at the fifth stage, a pilot project was conducted. This pilot was conducted in Tehran, the capital of Iran with collaboration of twelve organizations from disaster management community in order to test the web-based system and developed SDI conceptual model. Considering the important role of awareness for SDI development, increasing the awareness of disaster management community on advantages of developed system that works using SDI, was another aim of this pilot project. This pilot project was about responding to an imagined earthquake in Tehran.

Based on the results of pilot project, primary SDI conceptual model and developed web-based system were qualified. Other pilot projects are planned to be conducted in order to have more qualifications on developed model and system.

Conclusion
The results of the case study and its pilot project showed how useful a web-based system that works using SDI can be for effective and efficient disaster response management. Using SDI framework, reliable and up-to-date spatial data for disaster response is always available and accessible for decision-makers. A web-based system is also an appropriate tool which can be used for data analysis and consequently coordinating and controlling emergency situation.

The effectiveness and efficiency of the system can be interpreted by different elements, however, in this research reducing the response time and removing chaos by better management and coordination were considered as two evaluating factors.

It should be noted that such SDI conceptual model and web-based system facilitates and improves not only disaster response, but also other phases of disaster management including mitigation, preparedness and recovery. Facilitating disaster management by providing a better way of spatial data collection, sharing, access, management and usage contributes to facilitation of achieving sustainable development.

References

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Rajabifard, A. and Williamson, I. P. (2003). Anticipating the Cultural Aspects of Sharing for SDI Development, Spatial Science 2003 Conference, 22-26 September, Canberra, Australia.
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SNDR (2002). A National Hazards Information Strategy: Reducing Disaster Losses Through Better Information, National Science and Technology Council, Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Natural Disaster Reduction (SNDR), Washington, DC, April 2002.

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