Title: Multi-Hazard Risk assessment and understanding disaster

Geographic Information System (GIS) helps to manage spatial and non-spatial information in a very efficient way. Properly managed data and information helps in better territorial planning and decision making. In GIS, data about real-world objects is drawn quickly and can be displayed using the different attribute fields stored in GIS databases. The sources for spatial data can be from different sources including Field observation / measurement, GPS based data collection, Remote sensing and software based derivations like map digitization. Currently Satellite based data acquisition is providing continues image products for almost all areas of the world at different spatial resolutions. Remote sensing is a valuable data source to obtain information about the surface of the Earth. Several platforms have been historically used to collect data, starting from kites to balloons, airplanes, satellites and very recently, unmanned aerial vehicles. The applications of remotely sensed data are extremely broad, and it is increasing exponentially due to recent improvements in data resolution and availability. Drought is an insidious natural hazard that results from lower levels of precipitation than what is considered normal. When this phenomenon extends over a season or a longer period of time, precipitation is insufficient to meet the demands of human activities and the environment. Monitoring this phenomenon is has a paramount importance. Flood hazard assessment can be conducted in various ways depending on the data availability. The method of carrying out the assessment depends on the information, technology and resources available.

Disaster Risk Management, as a process can be seen from different points of views; some of these include processes from the hazard, disaster governance, and disaster cycle points of views.

This course is consisting of 4 components:

- Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing
- Application of GIS for Drought Assessment
- Application of GIS for Flood Assessment
- Use of GIS techniques for Disaster Risk Management

Category: Application and Special Courses — The objective of these application and special courses is to provide more advanced exercises for students to be conducted independently. Exercises consist of an overview presentation and relevant literature for independent study. The courses utilize open and free software utilities as well as different types of Remote Sensing / GIS and In-situ data-sets and have a step by step exercise description. After completion of the application and special course the results obtained by the student should be submitted in a short / concise report.

For course developers, note template to be used "EENSAT_Application_Special_Course_Template.docx"

Section 1
  Announcements
Description of the Application
  Draft Course manual
  General Introduction to GIS and Remote sensing
  GIS applications for Drought Assessment
  Applications of GIS for Flood Assessment
  Use of GIS techniques for Disaster Risk Management (DRM)