Application of the Policy Model in Sendai: the Experiences of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Action UNISDR/WCDRR Public Forum, 2015–2030

Abstract

This chapter reports on the raising of awareness among citizens who participated in the workshop on resilient cities held at the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai in March 2015. We provided 18 citizens with four types of expert knowledge: a long-term climate forecast for Sendai; the roles of infrastructure as precautionary and adaptive measures; the roles of green infrastructure as adaptative and transformative measures; and the status report which consists of the assessment result of the resilience of Sendai City by urban indicators, civil indicators, and administrative indicators. Based on this expert knowledge, the participants discussed risk perception, vulnerability assessments, evaluation of situations to be avoided, and resilience measures in Sendai. The results demonstrate that this workshop was able to change the participants’ attitudes toward terms of self-support due to the fact that participants who had been personally affected by a disaster knew the importance of self-support and specific actions over public support.

Appendix; Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction DRR) 2015–2030 and the New Ten Essentials of Making Cities Resilient

1.1 Introduction

Representatives from 187 UN member States adopted the first major agreement of the Post-2015 development agenda in Sendai, Japan, on 18th March 2015. The Sendai Framework for DRR, which builds on the Hyogo Framework of Action aims to achieve “the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses” over the next 15 years. This outcome will be achieved by the goal to: “[p]revent new and reduce existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, and increase preparedness for response and recovery, and thus strengthening resilience” (UN 2015).

To support the assessment of global progress, seven global targets have been agreed to make substantial changes in the:

• 1. Reduction of global disaster mortality by 2030

• 2. Reduction of the number of affected people by 2030

• 3. Reduction of direct disaster economic loss in relation to global GDP by 2030

• 4. Reduction of disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services by 2030

• 5. Increase in the number of countries with national and local DRR strategies by 2020

• 6. Increase in the availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments by 2030

• 7. Enhancement in international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support by 2030

This Post-2015 DRR Framework is further supported by guiding principles and four priorities for action.

1.2 The Four Priorities of Action

Priority 1. Understanding Disaster Risk

Disaster risk management should be based on an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics, and the environment. Such knowledge can be used for risk assessment, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response.

Priority 2. Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to Manage Disaster Risk

Disaster risk governance at the national, regional, and global levels is very important for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. It fosters collaboration and partnership.

Priority 3. Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience

Public and private investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction through structural and nonstructural measures are essential to enhance the economic, social, health, and cultural resilience of persons, communities, countries, and their assets, as well as the environment.

Priority 4. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response and to “Build Back Better” in Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction

The growth of disaster risk means there is a need to strengthen disaster preparedness for response, take action in anticipation of events, and ensure capacities are in place for effective response and recovery at all levels. The recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction phase is a critical opportunity to build back better, including through integrating disaster risk reduction into development measures.

1.3 The Role of Local Governments and the New Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient

During the World Conference in Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, the role of local governments as the primary responsible authority in disasters was strongly emphasized. Local and subnational governments argued for a greater need for international collaboration, and reiterated their commitment to collaborate with national governments and with the global community to advance the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015–2030. Further, in a declaration, local and subnational requested the continuation of “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready” Campaign with added support and direct assistance at local level.

To support the then 2500+ cities that are part of the Making Cities Resilient program, a new set of “Ten Essentials” and subsequent indicators were developed by a team of experts and organizations. The primary objective of these essentials is to be operational, adaptive, and applicable to all, encouraging cities towards their implementation.

The New “Ten Essentials” build upon the previous Essentials, and are interlinked to the Sendai Framework for DRR with priorities for action, representing a transition to a stage of implementation.

It is expected that the Sendai Framework and the New Ten Essentials will pave the way for implementing new policies on urban resilience and support governments in implementing strategies that include targets and are time bound. The New Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient¹ are:

• 1. Organize for Disaster Resilience

• 2. Identify, understand, and use current and future risk scenarios

• 3. Strengthen financial capacity for resilience

• 4. Pursue resilient urban development and design

• 5. Safeguard natural buffers to enhance the protective functions offered by natural ecosystems

• 6. Strengthen institutional capacity for resilience

• 7. Understand and strengthen societal capacity for resilience

• 8. Increase infrastructure resilience

• 9. Ensure effective disaster response

• 10. Expedite recovery and build back better