[F11] Maps and Narratives: Understanding Vulnerability and Capabilities Across Italy and Japan
Conference Bldg 2F - Sakura Hall
| Affiliation | University of Twente |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Irene Petraroli |
Keywords
- Disaster preparedness
- Community resilience
- Hazard maps
Outline
The impact of disasters on individuals is influenced by a range of economic, social, and cultural factors that make each experience highly personal. However, when viewed through cultural lenses, common themes emerge in how people prepare for, endure, and recover from catastrophic events. My project focuses Italy and Japan, two very different nations, but both exposed to similar natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides, and floods. These disaster types, highly distinct in the academia, are often merged in the local narratives and perceptions of risk. When examining the narratives surrounding disasters in these regions, elements of floods, fires, and earthquakes are merged into a varied composition that sheds light on the unique “culture of disaster” of a place. My intention is not to compare the two cultures but to illustrate the complexities of the social understanding of disasters, which are both shaped by and contribute to the community's identity.
Then, I aim to translate these insights into a personalised hazard map that empowers local communities to enhance their inherent resilience. By fostering risk awareness and visualizing personalized escape routes, this tool can aid in preparing communities to understand and respond to disasters in a way that aligns with their unique cultural contexts.
