Abstract
National governments worldwide are faced with the issue of managing the effects of natural disasters on the natural and manmade environment and the everyday lives of local communities. As the effects of natural hazards vary with spatial level and category on a case-by-case basis, new parameters such as climate change have been found to have a dramatic influence on the occurrence and development of natural disasters in recent years. Hence, there is an increasingly urgent need to establish a disaster prevention and management strategy. Spatial planning is becoming a particularly interesting aspect of disaster prevention and management, especially in a context where nongovernmental stakeholders of various forms are beginning to play a critical role in decision making and are thus establishing a new social actors’ network. Against this backdrop, the activation of civil society structures is an emerging challenge, while volunteer action is acquiring new significance, highlighting how crucial it is to ensure that the population is continuously informed and educated in order to maintain awareness and preparedness. This article focuses on Greece, and argues that it is necessary to update the disaster management strategy to ensure that the severe impacts of both traditional (e.g., earthquakes) and emerging (e.g., climate change) threats are dealt more effectively. It is claimed that this strategy should be based on thorough knowledge of the spatial layout and population distribution across Greece. The key to drafting such a strategy is collective consciousness. Proposals identified at this stage of investigation can be integrated into the policy choices for disaster management in Greece as well as in other countries or regions. Preparedness is everything, and preparation is clearly a matter of education.
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(Designed by Theodora 2020)
(Definitions: WHO Panafrican Emergency Training Centre 2002: 3, 10–11; photos: M. Theodora, Turkey, 1999)
(Designed by Theodora 2020)
(Designed by Theodora 2020)
(Designed by Theodora 2020)
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Notes
Greece is one of the most seismically active countries, but it also has the tenth longest coastline globally. Most Greek settlements/cities and human activities are concentrated along the coastline, and the country has a strongly island-based character (19% of the country’s area derives from islands).
Located at the crossroads of three continents, Greece is the cradle of ancient history and civilization. It is one of the main entry points into Europe from the East, many international land/sea routes pass through it (e.g., trade, marine, military, energy, migration/refugee routes), and it is an energy hub in the SE Mediterranean.
We refer to the adverse effects of a naturally occurring event that may be a result of geomorphological characteristics (e.g., earthquakes) or human intervention (e.g., floods, fires).
Any incident that results in material damage, ecological disorganization, loss of human life, or the deterioration of public health and healthcare services on a scale that justifies the urgent intervention of agencies from outside the affected area.
Such as: geomorphological and natural characteristics; the organization of the urban network; the locations of human activities and functions (land uses); and accessibility, mobility, and transportation networks, etc. in terms of their type, distribution, interaction and resilience.
Parameters related, among others, to societal (population groups, vulnerable groups, etc.), economic (production structure, infrastructure distribution, etc.), and administrative (administrative structure, governance system, funding, etc.) issues.
More specifically, mapping (a) open spaces where people can safely assemble in the case of an emergency as well as dangerous zones (to avoid accidents) at all spatial levels (settlements, cities, regions, and country) and (b) increasing awareness of the population through organized preparedness exercises.
In other words, increased building density with limited free space and a lack of escape routes and safe assembly points, the presence of dangerous materials that may act as injury and death traps (inflammable materials, etc.), absent or inadequate technical networks, and the presence of residential developments next to coasts, streams, and rivers (danger from rising water levels) or forest areas (fire danger), etc.
The likelihood of accidents and mortalities can be considerably higher in the aftermath of a sudden event, mainly to disorganized escape attempts (traffic congestion, bottlenecks, road accidents) or disorderly assembly and informal camping at unsafe sites that are difficult to supply with utility services in a safe manner (e.g., energy or water may be inadvisedly obtained from affected houses by extending power cables and water pipes to the tents or containers).
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Communicated by D. Vagiona and G. Pozoukidou, Guest Editors.
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Theodora, Y. Natural hazards: key concerns for setting up an effective disaster management plan in Greece. Euro-Mediterr J Environ Integr 5, 38 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-020-00174-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-020-00174-y