EngD Multi-Hazard Assessment Methodology for Banda Aceh
Thank you for your interest. This vacancy is now closed.
EngD Urban Sustainability & Resilience
In collaboration with Arup the Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering, we have funding from the EPSRC for an EngD studentship (4 year program) for the following project:
A multi-hazard assessment methodology for Banda Aceh (Indonesia) to guide resilient urban development
Disasters can be caused by natural hazards which are extreme geological or hydro-meteorological events. Each hazard type has specific characteristics in terms of probability, frequency, intensity, coverage and duration. All have the potential to cause significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure, resulting in loss of livelihoods (da Silva 2007). The severity of the effects of a natural hazard in any location are dependent on its characteristics but also on local factors such as geology, soil type, topography and the vulnerability of the built environment to the hazard. Furthermore, multiple hazards may affect an area and may not be totally independent. For example, Banda Aceh is at risk from earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, heavy rainfall and flooding (Lubkowski, 2006). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently recognized the importance of multi-hazard assessment and has incorporated it into its risk assessment software HAZUS-MH (FEMA, 2004). However, this method is not directly applicable to developing countries.
Hence, this EngD project looks to answer the research questions: “How can a multi-hazard risk assessment tool created for a developed country be adapted for a developing country?” and “How can this tool be used to guide decision making in a reconstruction/recovery process”. In order to constrain the scope of the work, the project will concentrate on the city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
The successful applicant will become a part of the EPSRC-funded Earthquake and People Interaction Centre, (EPICENTRE), and be expected to interact with researchers in coastal and earthquake engineering, and psychology. Applicants will be required to present / publish results and to work with the teams of researchers at Arup and at the EPICENTRE. The applicant will need to spend time both at ARUP and UCL. The student will also have guidance from Arup and from academic staff of the civil, environmental and geomatic engineering department, earth sciences department and development planning units at UCL
Applications:
For a place on the EngD programme funded through EPSRC awards, applicants must meet the EPSRC eligibility requirements i.e. be UK residents or demonstrate a relevant connection with the UK. Please visit the post-graduate website for more information.
Applicants must have at least a 2.1 degree, MSc or MA in an Engineering, Physical Science, Hazard related or Development related subject. The ideal candidate should be able to both work independently and in a team, and be willing to travel.
You need to apply directly to UCL Admissions by completing an application form which can be found at www.ucl.ac.uk/admission/graduate-study/application-admission/. Please also indicate your intention to apply by emailing Dr Tiziana Rossetto (t.rossetto [at] ucl.ac.uk).
Deadline:
Application deadline: 28th February 2009
Interviews: To be determined
Project Start Date: around 31st March 2009
Contact: Tiziana Rossetto
Phone:
