What is a Disaster?

Disaster Management

In this course, Professor Ilan Kelman (University College London) explores the world of disaster management and how human beings all across the globe may be vulnerable to them. In the first module, we look to define what a disaster is, and challenge the traditional view that disasters are a natural occurrence. In the second module we focus on tectonic hazards, discussing different types of plate boundaries, volcano types as well as how tsunamis occur. In the third module we shift our focus to how we might predict disasters discussing typical monitoring techniques for various different types of hazards. In the fourth lecture we discuss how to prepare for various disasters including potential asteroid impacts. In the fifth lecture we look at Hurricane Katrina as a disaster case study, and try to examine some of the decisions that led to such a horrific event. In the sixth lecture we look at some strategies, schemes and techniques various countries around the world have put in place to avoid disasters, with Bangladesh as a case study. In the seventh module we take a look at another case study, the 2010 Haitian Earthquake, discussing not only what happened, but contextualising the disaster with the history of Haiti to understand why such a disaster was able to occur. In the eighth and final module, we look at the impact climate change is having on incidents of disasters including tropical storms, wildfires and heatwaves.

What is a Disaster?

In this first module, we discuss what we mean by calling something a disaster. We focus on: (i) the importance on using clear language that is easy to understand when we talk about the term disaster; (ii) how to potentially define a disaster in only seven words; (iii) the two parts of a disaster, both a hazard and what that is, as well as defining vulnerability; (iv) challenging the notion that disasters are natural, and instead highlighting that disasters occur due to vulnerabilities that in turn exist by choice.