05 August 2013

Landslide risks may benefit from decentralized approach

August 2013: Options Magazine, Summer 2013.

Landslides represent a major threat to human life, property, and the environment. By undertaking landslide hazard and risk assessments to, for example, identify high-risk areas, authorities aim to improve the management of landslide hazard risk. But could a decentralized risk assessment system work better than a centralized one?

© Valeria Cantone | Dreamstime.com

© Valeria Cantone | Dreamstime.com

IIASA researchers examined the impacts and response to two landslides: the first, in May 1998 when 160 people died in five small towns in the Campania region of southern Italy; the second in August 1998 when more than 200 people died in the village of Malpa, India.

Analysis indicates that Italy’s risk assessment regime was more decentralized compared to India—which the findings suggest led to better outcomes.

Results indicate a causal relationship between decentralization and three outcomes, says Upasna Sharma. First, decentralization appears to be more conducive to the more rapid and more complete assessment of risks in specific places. Second, decentralization appears to foster greater and more transparent communication of risk assessment products, such as maps. Third, decentralization appears more suitable for open public discussion of contradictory evidence, and for engaging local stakeholders in the risk assessment process.

At this early stage, researchers stress there is no proof that decentralization leads to improved outcomes such as reduced losses in infrastructure or lives or more cost effective solutions. Rather, Sharma points out, it suggests a direction for institutional change to bring about more effective risk assessments.


Print this page

Last edited: 05 August 2013

CONTACT DETAILS

Anna Scolobig

Guest Senior Research Scholar Equity and Justice Research Group - Population and Just Societies Program

Subscribe to Options Magazine

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313