Introductory description

This is a five-day intensive module.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will be delivered as in three distinct but interrelated blocks, following the outline described below.

• Block 1 - Student-led discussions and expert presentations: During the first three lectures, students will be divided into smaller groups and will be provided with different questions related to the conceptual topics that will be covered during the module, while additional resources will be provided to each group to explore the different questions. Following short peer-peer discussions among them, one group will be chosen by the module leader to present some of their views / answers on the question to instigate a wider discussion. All discussed questions will be followed by an expert presentation during the following day.
• Block 2 - Practical Labs: : This block will consist of practical labs to introduce students to mapping and spatial data analysis skills using dedicated software (e.g. QGIS, OpenStreetMap). All material will be available for students to download from the Moodle page, while additional support will be provided to help them familiarise themselves with the introduced tools and techniques for spatial analysis and visualisation at their own pace.
• Block 3 - Group Projects: Students will be divided into groups during first day and develop a project idea related to the theoretical topics explored in Block 1, utilising tools and techniques introduced in Block 2. Each group will be asked to develop an initial project proposal prior to the field work (oral or written). Group proposals will be discussed and agreed with the teaching staff . Final presentations will take place during the last day of module delivery and will also provide the basis for the Individual project report.

• Supporting Live Sessions: Throughout the whole period of delivery of the three blocks above, regular live sessions on potential difficulties phased by the students on the newly introduced software will be delivered by the teaching staff.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts on interdisciplinary disaster risk and resilience scholarship
• Appreciate basic concepts around disaster scholarship such as urban resilience, disaster risk management, disaster risk reduction, disaster risk governance and new urban agendas for sustainable development.
• Highlight the role of urban data in strategies for disaster risk reduction and urban resilience.
• Critically appreciate the potential of participatory digital technologies and crowdsourced geographic information to support disaster risk management efforts.
• Reflect on how new technologies are related to changes in the collective experience of disasters and crisis events and comprehend their potential and limitations.
• Evaluate the role of urban data in strategies for disaster risk reduction and urban resilience.
• Unfold the 'naturalness' of 'natural' disasters and explore their disproportionate effects across various places, infrastructure, communities, and gender groups.
• Use Geographic Information System software (QGIS) to analyse urban data and produce interactive digital maps that visualise urban resilience-related issues;
• Work in interdisciplinary groups to analyse an urban challenge related to disaster resilience and design strategies for using open source geo-technologies to collect, process and analyse urban data.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Interdisciplinary

The module adopts an interdisciplinary teaching approach. Students from a wide variety of disciplinary and professional backgrounds will attend this module, enabling them to explore topics from a range of different perspectives and combine their various skills and expertise in providing innovative solutions for existing urban problems. Interdisciplinarity will be a key requirement in the formulation of the groups for the final project, while skills presented and developed throughout the week, mostly related to Geographic Information Systems and its application on real-world case-studies, utilising real-world datasets, will be assessed through the group presentation.

Subject specific skills

Use open-source geotechnologies (KoboToolbox, SketchMapTool) to do conduct urban data collection on the field.
Use Geographic Information System software (QGIS, JOSM) to analyse the urban data collected and produce interactive digital maps that visualise urban resilience -related issues.
Work in interdisciplinary groups to analyse an urban challenge related to disaster resilience, design strategies for using open source geo-technologies to collect, process and analyse urban data.

Transferable skills

Numeracy: apply simple mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others
Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management, which may be as a team member or leader
Work in interdisciplinary groups and conceptualise, design and conduct a research project
Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner
Appreciation of the global dimensions of sustainability, engineering, commerce and communication
Be professional in their outlook, be capable of team working, be effective communicators, and be able to exercise responsibility and sound management approaches.