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The benefits of risk prevention: KULTURisk findings

The KULTURisk methodology was applied to diverse European case studies to evaluate the social and economic benefits of risk prevention, i.e. reduction of potential flood losses due to the implementation of prevention measures.

Among many outcomes, it was demonstrated that:
- the implementation of early warning systems can significantly (between 30 and 40%, depending on various factors) reduce the potential flood damage in the Danube river basin countries indicating that investments in preparedness and early warning systems can be highly beneficial.

- In the Ubaye Valley (France), it was found out that a combination of structural and non-structural prevention measures can remarkably reduce the potential impact of flooding in Barcelonnette for different receptors (70% less for people, 84% for buildings, 77% for infrastructures, 91% for agriculture).

- In Zurich (Switzerland), prevention measures reduce the potential damage caused by extreme flood events in the Sihl River by 50%, while additional prevention options in Zurich (e.g. discharge tunnel) were found to potentially reduce flood losses near zero with benefits more than 10 times higher than the costs of prevention measures.

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  • Evaluating the benefits of risk prevention The KULTURISK project developed a comprehensive assessment methodology of the tangible and intangible values (e.g. cultural heritage) involved in risk evaluation, proposing three key innovations: to include social capacities of reducing risk, to go beyond the estimation of direct tangible costs, and to provide an operational solution to assess risks, impacts and benefits of risk reduction measures (presented by: Pierpaolo Campostrini at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva, Switzerland, May 2013)
    Posted 14 Jan 2014, 03:48 by Leonardo Alfonso
  • Educational material in flood modelling A series of computer-based exercises are available to download, designed for independent learning. They have been written as part of the KULTURisk project, by our partner Bristol University. Aimed at undergraduate level and above, they introduce users to numerical flood modelling using both hypothetical and real-life data, and then use the results to create risk maps, estimate uncertainty and look at flood prevention measures.Material is available to download at the School of Geographical Sciences
    Posted 23 Jan 2014, 07:57 by Leonardo Alfonso
  • Presentations of the 3rd KULTURisk workshop We are happy to announce that the presentations given at the 3rd KULTURisk workshop are available online. This workshop, organised by our partner CORILA, was entitled 'Benefits of disaster prevention measures: consolidating and widening an innovative risk assessment methodology', and it was held in Venice, from 19 to 20 September 2013.The presentations can be found in the CORILA website.
    Posted 21 Nov 2013, 04:27 by Leonardo Alfonso
  • KULTURisk project at the OECD High Level Risk Forum On 12 September 2013 the insights of the KULTURisk project was presented at the Introductory Session of the Expert Meeting on Risk Prevention and Mitigation: Governing Effective Prevention and Mitigation of Disruptive Shocks, held at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris. After a welcoming address by Mr. Mario Marcel, deputy director of Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate of the OECD, and an overview of the objectives of the expert meeting by Cathérine Gamper (PGTDD), Leonardo Alfonso, co-Manager of the KULTURisk Project, made the kick-off presentation entitled: "Why prevention pays", which formally opened the discussion sessions. These discussions included the topics of risk prevention and mitigation in times of fiscal constraints, engagement of the private sector in risk ...
    Posted 21 Nov 2013, 04:12 by Leonardo Alfonso
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KULTURisk: Knowledge-based approach to develop a cULTUre of Risk prevention

The KULTURisk project aims at developing a culture of risk prevention by means of a comprehensive demonstration of the benefits of prevention measures.

Artistic version by Domenico Di Baldassarre

"Modern society has distinct advantages over those civilizations of the past that suffered or even collapsed for reasons linked to water. We have great knowledge, and the capacity to disperse that knowledge to the remotest places on earth. We are also beneficiaries of scientific leaps that have improved weather forecasting, agricultural practices, natural resources management, disaster prevention, preparedness and management…But only a rationale and informed political, social and cultural response – and public participation in all stages of the disaster management cycle – can reduce disaster vulnerability, and ensure that hazards do not turn into unmanageable disasters"

Kofi Annan
Message on World Water Day 2004