Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

GIScience research challenges for emergency management in Southeast Asia

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study examines the current application of geospatial information technologies and highlights the challenges of and constraints on GIScience research for emergency management that are particularly pertinent to Southeast Asia. Based on the generic GIScience research priorities noted by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, four topics most relevant to Southeast Asia are examined and discussed, including issues relating to use of spatial data, advancement and adoption of technology, dynamic representation of geographic processes, and public participation in emergency management. In-depth consideration of these can contribute to more appropriate and effective uses of geospatial information technology in Southeast Asia for emergency management purpose.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdulharisa R, van Loenenb B, Zevenbergenc J (2005) Legal aspects of access to geo-information within Indonesian spatial data infrastructure. In: Proceedings of the ISPRS workshop on service and application of spatial data infrastructure, Hangzhou, China, pp 147–158

  • Abdulharisa R, Hakim DM, Riqqi A, Zlatonova S (2006) Assessment of geo-information utilization at the tsunami affected areas in Aceh and Nias, Indonesia. In: Fendel E, Rumor M (ed) Proceedings of urban data management society (UDMS) ‘06. Urban Data Management Society, Aalborg, Demark, pp 6.98–6.97

  • Adger WN (1999) Social vulnerability to climate change and extremes in coastal Vietnam. World Dev 27:249–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ADPC (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center) (2007) Incident command system for building faster responses to disasters response in the Indian Ocean countries. http://www.adpc.net/v2007/IKM/EVENTS%20AND%20NEWS/ADPC/2007/Oct/Abstract_ICS.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Alexander DE (2008) A brief survey of GIS in mass-movement studies, with reflections on theory and methods. Geomorphology 94:261–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amnatsan S (2009) Progress report: flood hazard mapping in Thailand. http://www.pwri.go.jp/icharm/training/2009seminar/progressreport2009_thai2.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Anun P (2009) Progress report on flood hazard mapping activities in Malaysia. http://www.pwri.go.jp/icharm/training/2009seminar/progressreport2009_malaysia.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Avanta A, Arifin EN (2004) Should Southeast Asia borders be opened? International migration in Southeast Asia. In: Avanta A, Arifin EN (ed) Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, pp 1–27

  • Bishr Y (1997) Overcoming the semantic and other barriers to GIS interoperability. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 12:299–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonn F, Aubé G, Müller-Poitevien C, Bénié G (2005) Emergency preparedness system for the Lower Mekong River Basin: a conceptual approach using earth observation and geomatics. In: van Oosterom P, Zlatanova S, Fendel EM (eds) Geo-information for disaster management. Springer, Berlin, pp 269–280

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Borrero JC, Sieh K, Chlieh M, Synolakis CE (2006) Tsunami inundation modeling for western Sumatra. Proc Natl Acad Sci 103:19673–19677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brakenridge R, Anderson E (2006) MODIS-based flood detection, mapping and measurement: the potential for operational hydrological applications. In: Marsalek J, Stancalie G, Balint G (eds) Transboundary floods: reducing risks through flood management, IV. Earth and environmental sciences, vol 72. Springer, The Netherlands, pp 1–12

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Budhendra B, Bright E, Coleman P, Dobson J (2002) LandScan: locating people is what matters. Geoinformatics 5:34–37

    Google Scholar 

  • CICC (Center for the International Cooperation of Computerization) (2006) Report of the conference for the Asian IT standardization—GIS and geospatial data interoperability. Tokyo, Japan

  • CIESIN and CIAT (Center for International Earth Science Information Network Columbia University and Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical) (2005) Gridded population of the world version 3 (GPWv3): population grids. Palisades, NY. http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/gpw. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Cova TJ (1999) GIS in emergency management. In: Longley PA, Goodchild MF, Maguire DJ, Rhind DV (eds) Geographical information systems: principles, techniques, management and applications. Wiley, New York, pp 845–858

    Google Scholar 

  • Crompvoets J, Bregt A, Rajabifard A, Williamson I (2004) Assessing the worldwide developments of national spatial data clearinghouses. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 18:665–689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosier SJ, Goodchild MF, Hill LL, Smith TR (2003) Developing an infrastructure for sharing environmental models. Environ Plan B Plan Des 30:487–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cutter SL (2003) GIScience, disasters, and emergency. Trans GIS 7:439–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Dios HB (2002) Participatory capacities and vulnerabilities assessment: finding the link between disasters and development. Quezon City, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • de Groot WJ, Field RD, Brady MA, Roswintiarti O, Mohamad M (2007) Development of the Indonesian and Malaysian fire danger rating systems. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 12:165–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeCapua C, Bhaduri B (2007) Applications of geospatial technology in international disasters and during Hurricane Katrina. Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center, Gulfport, MS. http://www.gri.msstate.edu/research/katrinalessons/Documents/GeoSp_Tech_Applications.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) (1996) State and local guide for all-hazard emergency operations planning. Federal Emergency Management Agency. http://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/0-prelim.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Fuhrmann S, MacEachren A, Cai G (2008) Geoinformation technologies to support collaborative emergency management. In: Chen H, Brandt L, Gregget V, Traunmüller R, Dawes S, Hovy E, Macintosh A, Larson CA (eds) Digital government—E-government research, case studies, and implementation. Springer, New York, pp 395–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Guha-Sapir D, Hargitt D, Hoyois P (2004) Thirty years of natural disasters 1974–2003: the numbers. Presses Universitaires de Louvain, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta A (2005) Landforms of Southeast Asia. In: Gupta A (ed) The physical geography of Southeast Asia. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 38–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Heijmans A (2001) Vulnerability: a matter of perception. International Conference on Vulnerability in Disaster Theory and Practice, London, UK

  • Heijmans A (2004) From vulnerability to empowerment. In: Bankoff G, Frerks G, Hilhorst D (eds) Mapping vulnerability—disaster, development, and people. Earthscan, London, pp 115–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Hossain F, Katiyar N (2006) Improving flood forecasting in international river basins. Eos Trans Am Geophys Union 87:49–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ITU (International Telecommunication Union) (2009) Measuring the information society—the ICT development index 2009. http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/backgrounders/general/pdf/5.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Karim N (2004) Hazard mitigation in South and Southeast Asia. In: Stoltman JP, Lidstone J, Dechano LM (eds) International perspectives on natural disasters: occurrence, mitigation, and consequences. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 211–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavouras M, Kokla M, Tomai E (2005) Comparing categories among geographic ontologies. Comput Geosci 31:145–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klien E, Lutz M, Kuhn W (2006) Ontology-based discovery of geographic information services—an application in disaster management. Comput Environ Urban 30:102–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee B (2008) Forest fire situation and main study activities in South Korea. http://wwwoa.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/people/yamazaki/G8/S4-all.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Lee S, Pradhan B (2007) Landslide hazard mapping at Selangor, Malaysia using frequency ratio and logistic regression models. Landslides 4:33–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee S, Sambath T (2006) Landslide susceptibility mapping in the Damrei Romel area, Cambodia using frequency ratio and logistic regression models. Environ Geol 50:847–855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majid S, Ahmad K (2007) Cross-layer framework for post-disaster communications. 14th IEEE international conference on telecommunications (ICT) and Malaysia international conference on communications (MICC) 2007, IEEE, Penang, Malaysia, pp 725–728

  • Mark DM (2003) Geographic information science: defining the field. In: Duckham M, Goodchild MF, Worboys MF (eds) Foundations of geographic information science. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 3–18

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka M, Yamazaki F (2006) Use of SAR imagery for monitoring areas damaged due to the 2006 mid Java, Indonesia earthquake. 4th International workshop on remote sensing for post-disaster response. Cambridge, UK. http://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/curbe/matsuoka06.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • McMaster R, Usery EL (2004) A research agenda for geographic information science. Taylor & Francis, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundie M (2005) Technology transforming disaster response. ICT solutions for disaster recovery management and global warning. Phuket, Thailand. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/craig/02-18PhuketICT.mspx. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Murdiyarso D, Lebel L (2007) Local to global perspectives on forest and land fires in Southeast Asia. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 12:3–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NRC (National Research Council) (1995) A data foundation for the national spatial data infrastructure. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • NRC (National Research Council) (2007a) Successful response starts with a map: improving geospatial support for disaster management. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • NRC (National Research Council) (2007b) Tools and method for estimating populations at risk, from natural disasters and complex humanitarian crisis. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • OAS (Organization of American States) (1991) Primer on natural hazard management in integrated regional development planning. Washington, DC

  • Onsurd HJ, Rushton G (1995) Sharing geographic information systems. Center for Urban Policy Research, New Brunswick

    Google Scholar 

  • Opadeyi J, Ali S, Chin E (2003) Status of hazard maps vulnerability assessments and digital maps in the Caribbean: final report. Saint Michael, Barbados

    Google Scholar 

  • Pailoplee S, Sugiyama Y, Charusiri P (2008) Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in Thailand and adjacent areas using regional seismic source zones. In: Proceedings of the international symposia on geoscience resources and environments of Asian terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516 and 5th APSEG, Bangkok, Thailand, pp 405–409

  • PCGIAP (Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific) (2007) Report—13th meeting of the PCGIAP. http://219.238.166.217/pcgiap/PCGIAP13/final%20report/full%20report.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Pereira JJ (2001) Environmental geoscience in Southeast Asia: current trends and future challenges. Episodes 24:115–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen M, Harmsen S, Mueller C, Haller K, Dewey J, Luco N, Crone A, Lidke D, Rukstale K (2007) Documentation for the South East Asia seismic hazard maps. US Geological Survey, Reston

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce L (2003) Disaster management and community planning, and public participation: how to achieve sustainable hazard mitigation. Nat Hazards 28:211–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radke J, Cova T, Sheridan MF, Troy A, Lan M, Johnson R (2000) Application challenges for geographic information science: implications for research, education, and policy for emergency preparedness and response. Urban Reg Inf Syst As J 12:15–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren AZ, Xie XY (2004) The simulation of post-earthquake fire-prone area based on GIS. J Fire Sci 22:421–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rietsma F, Albrecht J (2005) Modeling with the semantic web in the geosciences. IEEE Intell Syst 20:86–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez AM, Egenhofer MJ, Rugg RD (1999) Assessing semantic similarities among geospatial feature class definitions. In: Vckovski A, Brassel K, Shchek H-J (eds) Interoperable geographic information systems, Interop ‘99. Springer, Berlin, pp 189–202

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schwering A (2008) Approaches to semantic similarity measure for geo-spatial data: a survey. Trans GIS 12:5–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sieber R (2006) Public participation geographic information systems: a literature review and framework. Ann As Am Geogr 96:497–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Syafi’i MA (2006) The integration of land and marine spatial data set as part of Indonesian spatial data infrastructure development. Seventeenth United Nations regional cartographic conference for Asia and the Pacifics, Bangkok, Thailand. United Nations Economic and Social Council. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/E-CONF97-6-IP-46.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Tanasescu V, Gugliotta A, Domingue J, Leticia G-V, Davies R, Rowlatt M, Richardson M, Stinčić S (2006) A semantic web GIS based emergency management system. In: Cruz I, Decker S, Allemanget D, Preist C, Schwabe D, Mika P, Uschold M, Aroyo LM (eds) The semantic web—ISWC 2006. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 959–966

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tangtham N (1992) Principles and application of watershed classification in Thailand. Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • Thouret J, Lavigne F (2005) Hazards and risks at Gunung Merapi, Central Java: a case study. In: Gupta A (ed) The physical geography of Southeast Asia. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 275–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Titov VV, Gonzales FI, Bernard EN, Eble MC, Mofjeld HO, Newman JC, Venturato AJ (2005) Real-time tsunami forecasting: challenges and solutions. Nat Hazards 35:41–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tivov VV, Gonzales FI (1997) Implementation and testing of the method of splitting tsunami (MOST) model. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. www.pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/PDF/tito1927/tito1927.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • Tsou M-H, Sun C-H (2007) Mobile GIServices applications in disaster management. In: Drummond J, Billen R, Joao E, Forrest D (eds) Dynamic and mobile GIS: investigating change in space and time. CRC Press, London, pp 213–236

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) (2006) Indian Ocean tsunami warning and mitigation system IOTWS—Implementation plan. Third session of the intergovernmental coordination group for the Indian Ocean tsunami warning and mitigation system (ICG/IOTWS-III). http://ioc3.unesco.org/icg-iii/documents/IOC_TS_71web.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • UNESCAP (United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) (2009) Annual core indicators online database. http://www.unescap.org/stat/data/swweb/DataExplorer.aspx. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • UNISDR (United Nationa International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) (2009) CRED disaster figures Geneva. http://www.unisdr.org/eng/media-room/facts-sheets/2008-disasters-in-numbers-ISDR-CRED.pdf. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • UNOCHA (United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) (2007) Hazard maps. http://ochaonline.un.org/roap/MapCentre/HazardMaps/tabid/3725/language/en-US/Default.aspx. Accessed 5 Nov 2010

  • van Westen CJ, van Asch TWJ, Soesters R (2006) Landslide hazard and risk zonation—why is it still so difficult? Bull Eng Geol Environ 65:167–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vigny C, Simons WJF, Abu S, Bamphenyu R, Satirapod C, Choosakul N, Subarya C, Socquet A, Omar K, Abidin HZ, Ambrosius BAC (2005) Insight into the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake from GPS measurements in Southeast Asia. Nature 436:201–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser U (2004) Terminological representation and reasoning, semantic translation. In: Carbonelle JG, Siekmann J (eds) Intelligent information integration for the semantic web. Springer, Berlin, pp 141–150

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Waugh WL, Tierney K (eds) (2007) Emergency management: principles and practice for local government, 2nd edn. ICMA Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiegand N, Garcia C (2007) A task-based ontology approach to automate geospatial data retrieval. Trans GIS 11:355–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wisner B (1978) An appeal for a significantly comparative method in disaster research. Disaster 2:80–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worboys MF, Duckham M (2004) GIS: a computing perspective, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu W, Zlantanova S (2007) Ontologies for disaster management response. In: Li J, Zlatanova S, Fabbri A (eds) Geomatics solutions for disaster management. Springer, Berlin, pp 185–200

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Yumuang S (2006) 2001 Debris flow and debris flood in Nam Ko area, Phetchabun province, central Thailand. Environ Geol 51:545–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zerger A, Wealands S (2004) Beyond modelling: linking models with GIS for flood risk management. Nat Hazards 23:191–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang A, Qi Q, Jiang L (2007) GeoRSS based emergency response information sharing and visualization. Third international conference on semantics, knowledge, and grid (SKG2007), Xi’an, China, pp 596–597

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding supporting from the National University of Singapore funding number R-109-000-070-101/123 and the Staff Research Support Scheme are appreciated. We wish to thank Yikang Feng for GIS mapping and Xinyi Liang for Thai translation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chen-Chieh Feng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Feng, CC., Wang, YC. GIScience research challenges for emergency management in Southeast Asia. Nat Hazards 59, 597–616 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9778-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9778-8

Keywords

Navigation