Skip to main content

A Plea for People Centered Perspectives on Seismic Risk Evaluation

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
  • 803 Accesses

Part of the book series: Springer Natural Hazards ((SPRINGERNAT))

Abstract

The issue of seismic risk in Bucharest, a 1.7 mil people Capital, is very much ignored, considering the scale and the urgency. Seismic risk assessment needs to focus also on human losses, rather than on physical aspects like location, construction materials, etc. “How many people live in seismic risk housing?” is a question not even the municipality can give a recent evidence based answer to. The paper presents the results of ALERT—seismic risk mitigation project, started in Bucharest in February 2016. ALERT is based on an online data crowdsourcing platform regarding seismic risk housing (with particular focus on the number, needs and problems of their inhabitants). The Alert poll results, as of September 2017 indicate the severity of the problem. More than 8000 dwellers were counted in 80% of the highest seismic risk buildings (Seismic Risk Class I) and it is expected that by the end of the research the 10,000 people threshold will be long exceeded. The paper is intended to highlight insights on ownership, occupancy and management of these buildings. The conclusion argues the need for a more human centric approach of seismic risk assessment to complement the engineering and geological perspectives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Armaș I, Toma-Dănilă D, Ionescu R, Gavriș A (2017) Vulnerability to earthquake hazard: Bucharest case study, Romania. Int J Disaster Risk Sci 8(2):182–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bică AG (2013) The seismic vulnerability of the Romanian built-up environment to earthquake action. Ph.D. thesis, University Construction Engineering Bucharest

    Google Scholar 

  • City Hall of Bucharest, list of evaluated buildings. http://www.pmb.ro/servicii/alte_informatii/lista_imobilelor_exp/docs/Lista_imobilelor_expertizate.pdf. Accessed on 09 Sept 2016

  • D’Ercole R, Robert J, Hardy S, Ponte E, Vernier P, Popescu R, Etaby S, Salome G, Vicario T (2013) Utilisateurs des ressources de gestion de crise et problèmes. In: La population de Tabarre et ses vulnérabilités, Raportul proiectului SIRV-TAB, vol 2. COOPI, IRD, ECHO, Mairie de Tabarre, CNIGS, CIAT, DPC, Port-au-Prince, p 623

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (2015–2016) Annual program actions for the design and execution of consolidation work to multi-storeyed dwelling buildings, classified by technical expertise report in the first class of seismic risk and posing public danger (red dot buildings)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (2016) Efficient and transparent co-ordination and selection of infrastructure financing from structural instruments and from the State budget for 2014–2020, SMIS code 48659—Component 4—Living in Romania. Towards a National Housing Strategy, http://www.mdrap.ro/lucrari-publice/-3175

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mihai Şercăianu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Şercăianu, M., Nenciu, I., Suditu, B., Neagu, M., Popescu, R., Murzea, D. (2018). A Plea for People Centered Perspectives on Seismic Risk Evaluation. In: Vacareanu, R., Ionescu, C. (eds) Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment. Springer Natural Hazards. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74724-8_21

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics