RISKCAT: Reflections on Natural Hazards in Catalonia Good practices from an intermediate government Joan Manuel Vilaplana & Blanca Payàs Universitat de Barcelona

Snow avalanches. R. Copons Landslides&rockfalls. R. Copons Subsidences&collapses. R. Copons Coastal phenomena. J.Guillén Floods. J. Escuer Earthquakes. MJ. Jimènez & M. García Volcanos. J. Martí Legislation. E.Ribot The last decade in Catalonia Population Urbanisation Natural hazards: an increasing reality Average cost: /y. Average number of victims: 7/y. RISKCAT project: Analyses the capability to manage certain natural hazards in Catalonia. Land use - Phenomena Value of buildings and property

What is considered in each phenomenon? 1- Definition and significance in Catalonia Historical events Estimated recurrences Estimated impact: qualitative & quantitative Estimated risk in the territory 3- Assessment of the current state of knowledge and actions Main actors involved Evaluation of knowledge of risk Evaluation of risk management Strengths / Weaknesses 4- Recommendations ________ RISKCAT 2- Catalogue initiatives to characterise, assess and predict risk

LESSONS LEARNED Good level of scientific and technical knowledge is not always translated into management actions Lack of documentation on past disasters (base & historical data) Lack of indicators that enable us to verify performance Need for substantial improvement in implementation of emergency plans at municipal level Need for coordination in technical methodologies, mitigation actions and in land planning The fact that the regulations are fragmented and dispersed in different areas of the law can, occasionally, result in their non compliance ________ RISKCAT

CHALLENGES FOR AN INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT Give priority to prevention strategies Ensure a suitable coordination of the main actors (public entities) engaged in risk management: Civil Protection, Geological Service (IGC), Water Management Agency (ACA) Ensure in the short term the implementation of official hazard maps and guidelines for land planning Promote a special Plan of Protection in exposed areas where urbanization is consolidated Give priority to education and communication to raise risk awareness in the population ________ RISKCAT