GIS and Disasters: A Critical Introduction

HCRI60071 GIS and Disasters: A Critical Introduction 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Martin Parham Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer systems for capturing, storing, analysing, displaying and sharing data related to positions on Earth's surface. GIS and the analysis of spatial data has application to many fields, such as environmental management, urban planning, business, government, as well as disaster management. Today more than ever we need innovative approaches to understanding and managing hazards, risk, and vulnerabilities to reduce negative disaster impacts.In this course, students will be exposed to a range of transferrable GIS techniques and analysis tools and will learn how to apply these to various disaster management tasks, such as mapping vulnerability using census data, or modelling risk using meteorological and other physical geography data. Students will learn important cartographic principles and develop their own GIS maps. In addition to the practical components, the course will develop theoretical understandings and critically consider the appropriateness and implications of GIS approaches and map making. Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer systems for capturing, storing, analysing, displaying and sharing data related to positions on Earth's surface. GIS and the analysis of spatial data has application to many fields, such as environmental management, urban planning, business, government, as well as disaster management. Today more than ever we need innovative approaches to understanding and managing hazards, risk, and vulnerabilities to reduce negative disaster impacts.In this course, students will be exposed to a range of transferrable GIS techniques and analysis tools and will learn how to apply these to various disaster management tasks, such as mapping vulnerability using census data, or modelling risk using meteorological and other physical geography data. Students will learn important cartographic principles and develop their own GIS maps. In addition to the practical components, the course will develop theoretical understandings and critically consider the appropriateness and implications of GIS approaches and map making. The course aims to:<ul> <li>Develop an understanding of spatial data and its analysis</li> <li>Develop spatial problem-solving abilities and practical skills in GIS analysis and cartography (focusing on QGIS and ArcGIS Online)</li> <li>Explore a broad set of applications of spatial data and GIS for crisis management and disaster risk reduction</li> <li>Critically reflect on the power, usefulness, and limitations of GIS and spatial data broadly and in disaster management</li></ul> Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:<ul> <li>Different types of spatial data and how they are developed and analysed</li> <li>Current and potential applications of spatial data and GIS in disaster management</li> <li>Spatial analysis as a mechanism for assessing hazard risk and vulnerability</li> <li>The implications of GIS, including the power of maps to persuade, digital divides and unequal access to spatial information, contemporary trends and changing practices</li></ul> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 13px;">Identify and evaluate patterns and trends in spatial data</li> <li>Investigate dynamic phenomena through interrogation of spatial and temporal data</li> <li>Consider the influence of geography on different approaches to analysing and managing disasters</li> <li>Critically analyse the role of GIS and mapping in disaster management, and the underpinning theories</li></ul> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 13px;">Conduct a range of analyses on both vector and raster datasets</li> <li>Combine multiple data to address real world problems</li> <li>Cartography skills and the design and production of GIS maps</li> <li>Research skills, including planning, prioritisation of tasks, identification and location of sources, critical evaluation of findings</li> <li>Communicating analysis results in the form of map analysis</li> <li>Participation in online and in-class discussions</li></ul> <ul><li>Spatial data analysis and interpretation skills</li><li>Experience in preparing GIS maps of the same kind that may be used in academia, policy development, or the professional sector.</li><li>Critical thinking, research and project management skills</li><li>Skills to help them interpret current and future disaster risk and vulnerability</li><li>Ethical awareness</li></ul> Innovation/creativity Professional knowledge and skills: GIS and spatial data analysis (ESRI ArcGIS in particular) Project management Time management Oral communication Communication skills Problem solving Problem solving skills Written communication Reporting of scientific data/analyses Other Ability to work independently 0 Other 100% <figure class="table"><table style="width:500px;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td>Assessment task</td><td>Formative or Summative</td><td>Weighting within unit (%)</td></tr><tr><td>Disaster mapping scenario exercise</td><td>Summative</td><td>60%</td></tr><tr><td>Two short skill tasks with choice of one short answer question </td><td>Summative</td><td>40%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Resit Assessment<figure class="table"><table style="width:200px;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td>Assessment task</td></tr><tr><td>Essay</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>  <table class="Table" style="width:662px; margin-left:7px; border-collapse:collapse; border:none" width="662"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:482px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black" valign="top">Informal oral feedback during class/labs</td> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:180px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:none" valign="top">Formative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:482px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; border-top:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black" valign="top">Written feedback on  on disaster map scenario returned to students according to SALC guidelines and time limits, using a bespoke rubric</td> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:180px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; border-top:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:none" valign="top">Formative / summative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:482px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; height:7px; border-top:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black" valign="top">Additional one-to-one feedback (during the consultation hour or by making an appointment)</td> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:180px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; height:7px; border-top:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:none" valign="top">Formative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:482px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; height:7px; border-top:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black" valign="top">Blackboard discussion forum</td> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:180px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; height:7px; border-top:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:none" valign="top">Formative</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Y Brewer, C.A. 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Uses of free geoinformatics for disaster risk reduction in small island developing states–a case study from Honiara, Solomon Islands. Strengthening disaster resilience in small states, 1-12Tomaszewski, B. (2020). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Disaster Management (2nd Edition). Routledge. 482 pages. Tran, P., Shaw, R., Chantry, G. & Norton, J. (2009). GIS and local knowledge in disaster management: a case study of flood risk mapping in Viet Nam. Disasters, 33(1): 152-169.Zerger A., Ingle-Smith D., (2003) Impediments to using GIS for real-time disaster decision support, Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 27(2): 123-141 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0198-9715(01)00021-7 Seminars 20 0 130