ENGINEER'S ROLE IN
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Resilience approach to Disaster in Malaysia @ Experience
ENGINEER'S ROLE IN DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
• Good Morning to All present here. I consider your presence here for this event is also a
means of addressing disaster. HOW..
• That is sharing platform of our experience by way of attending this seminar. An
opportunity to network and exchange idea … All in the spirit of voluntarism and
togetherness.
• Dear All.
• Disaster Antonyms : Happiness, joy, Prosperity.
• I am here on the invitation from EIT from IEM
• IEM considers Engineers have a critical role to play in disaster relief and post-disaster
reconstruction, providing shelter, water supplies and sanitary
• IEM works with organizations that specializes in providing engineers with the skills needed
to respond to crises.
• IEM sponsored/sent its experience Engineers to RedR's training and selection to join the
register of RedR (Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief), which provides personnel to
humanitarian programs worldwide.
• IEM Disaster Risk Reduction Advisory Board.
ENGINEER'S ROLE IN DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
• My topic “ Resilience Approach to Disaster”.
Lets start with getting ourselves familiarize with some “Terminology”
Which will be used in this presentation
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER
• Terminology
• The world is so concern about Disaster that under
• The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
• Terminology are compiled and administered with the
• Aims to promote common understanding and common usage of disaster risk
reduction (DRR),
• Concepts
• Assist the DRR efforts of authorities, practitioners and the public
• Since my title is “Resilience” Let me start by defining Resilience. Actually,
• Resilience’ was selected the global development buzzword of 2012 . Dear All
disaster has in fact become so part of our life.
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
Resilience
The ability of a System, Community, or Society exposed to hazards to
Resist, Absorb, Accommodate to and recover from the effect's of a Hazard
in a timely and efficient manner,
Including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic
structures and functions.
Comment: Resilience means the ability to “resile from” or “Spring back from” a
shock the resilience of a community in respect to potential hazard
events is determined by the degree to which the community has
the necessary resources and is capable of organizing itself both
prior to and during times of need.
defined by UNISDR
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
• Building Codes
• Comment: Building codes can include
•
both technical and functional standards.
• They should incorporate the lessons of international experience and should
be tailored to national and local circumstances.
• A systematic regime of enforcement is a critical supporting requirement for
effective implementation of building codes.
• Case history: In Malaysia the recent earthquake in East Malaysia has
promoted the review of the Malaysia standard on Eurocode on
earthquake. The Eurocode was found to be of Technical standards. Now
IEM WG on earthquake is looking into earthquake affected countries like
Japan to formula on functional standards to be included
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
Disaster risk reduction
The concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyse
and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to all
hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and
the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events.
Comment: A comprehensive approach to reduce disaster risks is set out in the United
Nations-endorsed Hyogo Framework for Action, adopted in 2005, whose expected
outcome is “The substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives and the social, economic
and environmental assets of communities and countries.”
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system provides a vehicle for
cooperation among Governments, organisations and civil society players to assist in the
implementation of the Framework.
Note that while the term “disaster reduction” is sometimes used, the term “disaster risk
reduction” provides a better recognition of the ongoing nature of disaster risks and the
ongoing potential to reduce these risks.
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
• Early warning system
• The set of capacities needed to generate and disseminate timely and
meaningful warning information to enable individuals, communities and
organizations threatened by a hazard to prepare and to act
appropriately and in sufficient time to reduce the possibility of harm or
loss.
• Comment:
• This definition encompasses the range of factors necessary to achieve
effective responses to warnings.
• A people-centred early warning system necessarily comprises four key
elements: knowledge of the risks; monitoring, analysis and forecasting of
the hazards; communication or dissemination of alerts and warnings;
and local capabilities to respond to the warnings received. The
expression “end-to end warning system” is also used to emphasize that
warning systems need to span all steps from hazard detection through to
community response.
Resilience approach to disaster in Malaysia
Land-use planning
The process undertaken by public authorities to identify, evaluate and decide
on different options for the use of land, including consideration of long term
economic, social and environmental objectives and the implications for
different communities and interest groups, and the subsequent formulation
and promulgation of plans that describe the permitted or acceptable uses.
Comment:
Land-use planning is an important contributor to sustainable development. It
involves studies and mapping; analysis of economic, environmental and
hazard data; formulation of alternative land-use decisions; and design of longrange plans for different geographical and administrative scales. Land-use
planning can help to mitigate disasters and reduce risks by discouraging
settlements and construction of key installations in hazard-prone areas,
including consideration of service routes for transport, power, water, sewage
and other critical facilities.
Mitigation
The lessening (softening) or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards
and related disasters.
Comment:
The adverse impacts of hazards often cannot be prevented fully, but
their scale or severity can be substantially lessened by various strategies
and actions. Mitigation measures encompass engineering techniques
and hazard-resistant construction as 20 well as improved environmental
policies and public awareness. It should be noted that in climate change
policy, “mitigation” is defined differently, being the term used for the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that are the source of climate
change.
Resilience approach to disaster in Malaysia
Preparedness
The knowledge and capacities developed by governments, professional
response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to
effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely,
imminent or current hazard events or conditions.
Comment:
Preparedness action is carried out within the context of disaster risk
management and aims to build the capacities needed to efficiently
manage all types of emergencies and achieve orderly transitions from
response through to sustained recovery. Preparedness is based on a sound
analysis of disaster risks and good linkages with early warning systems, and
includes such activities as contingency planning, stockpiling of equipment
and supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination,
evacuation and public information, and associated training and field
exercises. These must be supported by formal institutional, legal and
budgetary capacities. The related term “readiness” describes the ability to
quickly and appropriately respond when required.
Retrofitting
Reinforcement or upgrading of existing structures to become more resistant
and resilient to the damaging effects of hazards.
Comment:
Retrofitting requires consideration of the design and function of the
structure, the stresses that the structure may be subject to from particular
hazards or hazard scenarios, and the practicality and costs of different
retrofitting options. Examples of retrofitting include adding bracing to stiffen
walls, reinforcing pillars, adding steel ties between walls and roofs, installing
shutters on windows, and improving the protection of important facilities
and equipment.
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Comment:
This definition coined by the 1987 Brundtland Commission is very succinct
but it leaves unanswered many questions regarding the meaning of the
word development and the social, economic and environmental
processes involved. Disaster risk is associated with unsustainable elements
of development such as environmental degradation, while conversely
disaster risk reduction can contribute to the achievement of sustainable
development, through reduced losses and improved development
practices.
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
• Why is Disaster Resilience Important.
• Because of bad experience we uncounted during natural disaster .
• And it is expected both, the frequency and intensity will continue to
increase.
• THE CHALLENGE: Saving and preserving livelihoods.
• What can be done? ( to be more disaster resilient )
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
• My main presentation will focus on
 natural disaster due to flooding(hazard).
 The transformation from the generic approach to resilience approach in
Malaysia in the prevention of hazards.
The Generic approach is very much on case history/ data collection . Now
engineers are looking from the Resilience Approach.
In Malaysia – Many years back experts were called in to study on flood problems.
Studies were undertaken to understand the flood problem in the Klang river Basin
and how to respond it.
Two forms of flooding was identified that effect flooding in the Klang River Basin:
 First the monsoonal type flooding ( cause by continuous period (3-7days) of rain
 Second localized very high intensity rain falls in a short duration (2 to 5 hours).
The large volume of surface runoff, which often leads to drainage and river
system to be overload and subsequently causes flash floods.
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
So, What was the response from the study ?
Engineers Response to study
Provide flood retention pond
Undertake channel improvement works
Build flood wall for protection of “important” flood prone low ground, with
provision of pumping facilities
A model analysis to be carry out base on the 100year flood . (Outcome was
the SMART tunnel)
“The World bank predicts that the frequency and intensity of disaster will
continue over the coming decades”
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
Forward Solution Engineers: To be Disaster Resilient
• To begin with Malaysia is fortunate for not experiencing very major disaster
Except for flash floods in cities like Kuala Lumpur and recently in Kota Bahru
(unforeseen circumstance Monsoon Rain )
• In Malaysia Engineers have gradually transformed from the experience
gained/learned in disaster world wide and in Malaysia
• Engineers in the various ministries agencies and local authorities have drawn
up various Disaster Risk Reduction policies and measures to be implemented
• Putra Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka has been chosen as role model cities
in the resilient city campaign
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO
DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
• All this factors were taken when Newtown ship were plan and successful
achieved in the development of PutraJaya
• The PutraJaya City Experience
• RESILIENCE CITY
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
•
Lesson addressed at The PutraJaya (Modern City) Master Plan
•
Is planned based on the Garden City Concept which aimed to be a
sustainable city. Planning with expectation to flood and design the
necessary precautionary items
large proportion of the city area designated as
green open space,
A large area of water ( man made) is built for
water management & climate modifier
20m x 38m promenade ( walkway) as buffer to
Lake edge
Artificial wetlands are constructed for water
filtration to support the lake system.
This coherent system has the ability to Resist, Absorb, Accommodate to and
recover from the effect's of a Hazard in a timely and efficient manner,. In
another Words Resilient
•
The Wetlands
Plays many functions that contribute to Disaster Risk Reduction
Storm water management-flood retention
Soil Stabilization measure
Erosion Control
introduce nature and biodiversity into urban
fabric
Enhancement of City Landscapes
This Strategies adopted was found to be coherent.
Also the development of this capacity is a costly endeavor
All this considered in the planning stage for a Resilience City
•
HOLD do not change elaborate further.
THE PUTA JAYA LAKE
City-water management – potable water sup (in emergency case
Storm water retention & flood control – collect runoff form lake catchment and rivers
The lake works at the same time with the dam; Dam risk assessment undertaken to evaluate potential
hazards to downstream population;
Lake
Lake
DESIGN WITH THOUGHT
THE WETLANDS WITH AN INNOVATIVE MULTI-CELL MULTI-STAGE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED FOR MULTI-FUNCTIONAL
USES WHICH INCLUDE STORMWATER TREATMENT, PROVISION OF HABITAT, PASSIVE RECREATION, AESTHETIC
AMENITY, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND A WETLAND RESEARCH CENTRE
.
and microorganisms can flourish to assist in filtering and removing water pollutants
WETLAND
WETLAND
WETLAND
LAKE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION
THE KUALA LUMPUR
EXPERIENCE
Flash flood in Kuala Lumpur happen
frequently. So studies were carried out
and Flood control/mitigate/ measures
were taken. Among
Flood Mitigation Measures includes
Structural Measures
•
Upgrading of Main drains and minor rivers
•
Construction of flood retention ponds
•
Construction of Pump houses
•
Maintenance of mains drains , rivers, ponds
and pump house
Non structural Measures
•
Flood Mapping
•
Land use Planning
•
Flood prediction and warning system
•
Education & Awareness
90-Minute Downpour Causes Catastrophe In KL
FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS
The SMART tunnel: Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel
The 13.2m diameter tunnel consists of a 9.7km storm water bypass tunnel, with a 4km dual-deck motorway within the storm
water tunnel.
The main purpose of SMART is to solve the problem of flash flooding in Kuala Lumpur from the Sungai Klang
and Kerayong rivers and also to reduce traffic jams during the daily rush hour.
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO DISASTER IN MALAYSIA
Disaster Awareness Campaign
• Disaster Awareness Day
• To raise public awareness in disaster risk as well as to promote commitment among country leaders,
decision makers and local authorities
• It is important to make sure that the entire family is prepared and informed in the event of a disaster
or emergency. You may not always be together when these events take place and should have
plans for making sure you are able to contact and find one another. (from Red Cross )
• Public should be involved / equipped with the latest technology developed to act in a timely and
efficient manner. Case history of TTDI Program
Others
 A proposal for national insurance for location with flood risk
 A systematic regime of enforcement is a critical supporting requirement for effective implementation of building
codes
CONCLUSION
• Malaysia actively moving forward with idea of disk risk reduction with Resilience
approach.
• Global Campaign on “Resilient Cities: My city is getting Ready”
 prepare for unanticipated and disconcerting lines of development (climate change and
natural disaster).
 Enhance National polices in land use panning and urbanization policy
 The commitment to adhere Resilience building
Financing, advocacy, Networks, knowledge and evidence, integration
All in all the Terminology
Resilience
The ability of a System, Community, or Society exposed to hazards to
Resist, Absorb, Accommodate to and recover from the effect's of a Hazard in a timely
and efficient manner,
Including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and
functions.
RA is in the ASEAN fraternity and lets work together
RESILIENCE
’.
‘THE CAPACITY TO PREVENT, MITIGATE, PREPARE FOR, RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM
THE IMPACTS OF DISASTERS
Taking preventative measures to reduce the
likelihood of an event occurring or, if an
event occurs, to reduce the severity of the event
Taking preparatory measures to ensure that, if an even
t occurs, communities, resources and services are able
to cope with the effects of the event.
RESIST (PREVENT)
ABSORB (RESPOND)
RECOVER FROM
ACCOMADATE TO
(RESPOND)
Taking appropriate measures to recover from an event,
including the action taken to support disaster‐affected
communities in the reconstruction of infrastructure, the
restoration of emotional, social, economic and physical
wellbeing and the restoration of the environment.
Taking appropriate measures to respond to an event,
including action taken and measures planned in nticipation
of, during and immediately after an event to ensure tha
t its effects are minimized and that persons affected by the
event are given immediate relief and support
RESILIENCE APPROACH TO
DISASTER IN MALAYSIA