Research

TWO RESEARCH THEMES

Theme 1: Vulnerability and risk management

In our research we strive to develop assembled images and analyses of vulnerability and risk management related to extreme weather. The ability to handle risks associated with flood events, storms and flash floods closely relates to a broader understanding of the societal vulnerabilities connected to the events. Examples of recent studies conducted by CCS include regional climate adaptation in the Värmland region and a vulnerability survey and economical analysis of floods in the region surrounding lake Vänern. Other research areas include damage surveys after flash floods, a research overview of GIS and floods and a research project with the aim to generate indicators for storm related vulnerabilities.

Theme 2: Learning from natural disasters

The starting point for the other theme is that experiences and lessons learned from previous disastrous events can be of great value in preparations and planning on how to handle future events. CCS develop methods for systematic learning from natural disasters. Examples from current projects are studies on how documentation and evaluations from earlier events are used as means of education and how databases containing information about natural disasters can be used in prevention.

MAJOR PROJECTS

CNDS - Centre for Natural-Disaster Science

Through the CNDS initiative a Swedish centre for research on natural disasters is assembled. The common nominators are storms, flash floods and floods. The Centre is created in cooperation with Uppsala University and the Swedish National Defence College. CNDS receives its base funding from the Swedish Government strategic research grants, primarily to finance a research school. Researchers will gather in six work areas, for example Risk communication, Collaboration, Information gathering for the prevention of natural disasters and Protection of infrastructure.

ESS - Effects of society's preventive safety work

ESS is a five year study with the overarching aim to improve the general possibilities to reduce risks and consequences of accidents. The project goal is to produce basal knowledge to be used in prioritizing between actions and the research focus is the connection between action and effect. The project is run together with Örebro University, The Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) and the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) and funded by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). CCS is collaborating with researchers from SGI in a work package concerned with learning from natural disasters. We will amongst other things examine how databases of previous experiences can be used in a preventive manner.