Using Organigraphs to Map Disaster Risk Management Governance in the Field of Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Global cultural heritage is threatened by the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters caused by climate change. International experts emphasise the importance of managing cultural heritage sustainably as part of a paradigm shift in cultural heritage perception, understanding, and management. This paradigm shift has stimulated a need to integrate cultural heritage into pre-existing disaster risk management governance. However, there is currently a lack of robust and practical approaches to map the complex nature of disaster risk management governance. It is here considered that a shared understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of the different organisations involved in risk management is a critical element in improving the preparedness of cultural heritage sites. The purpose of this article is to present the utility of the Organigraph technique and its main components as a tool to map governance structures, identify key stakeholders, and integrate cultural heritage experts into wider disaster risk management. The article presents a semi-empirical research approach, consisting of four iterative phases in which a series of digital workshops, semi-structured meetings, and bilateral expert meetings were used to co-produce five Organigraphs for heritage sites participating in an ongoing European Project. Our findings suggest that Organigraphs provide a valuable tool at the disposal of practitioners and academics with the potential to provide a basis for cross-national, cross-issue, and cross-scale peer learning between heritage sites. Furthermore, the technique is a valuable self-diagnostic tool to facilitate learning and proactive discussions in the preparedness phase of disaster risk management. Finally, they facilitate the co-creation of solutions through an evolving, interactive platform to integrate data-driven approaches.

Exhaustive Insights Towards Social-Media Driven Disaster Management Approaches

“…This issue is found to be addressed by Du et al [49], where map cognition concerning the time-critical perspective is improvised to offer more elaborated visual information in a crisis map. The adoption of organigraphs is discussed by Durrant et al [50] where the authors have stated its significance towards preparedness against. However, the authors also suggested that there is still an enormous scope for improvement, and the existing system is not yet ready for large scale and dynamic situations.…”

“…Social media platforms have become increasingly important tools for natural disaster management, with several prominent attributes that have the potential to influence disaster response efforts viz. i) Real-Time Information Sharing (Aramendia et al [26], Beltramone & Gomes [27], Cheong et al [28], Karmegam et al [59], Turay and S. Gbetuwa [68], Zhu et al [66]), ii) Crowdsourced Data Collection (Tavra et al [65], Astarita et al [37]), iii) Two-Way Communication (Tran & Kim [42], Zhang et al [45]), iv) Public Engagement and Mobilization (Malla et al [70], Tarchiani et al [35], Al-Mueed et al [29], Mitcham et al [40]), v) Information Aggregation and Analysis (Malla et al [70], Han & Wang [39], Tavra et al [65]), vi) Crisis Mapping and Visualization (Divjak and Lapaine [47], Du et al [49], Durrant et al [50], Maxant et al [51], Vavassori et al [52]). Under attributes of real-time information sharing, it is believed that social media allows for the rapid dissemination of information during disasters, enabling authorities, organizations, and individuals to share updates on hazards, evacuation orders, shelter locations, road closures, and other important developments in real time.…”

Disaster Risk Management and Cultural Heritage: The Perceptions of European World Heritage Site Managers on Disaster Risk Management

“…The unique nature of each WHS requires the need for tailored DRM strategies that allow CH experts and the WHSM to mould the details of a DRM strategy to fit the needs of the particular WHS. However, allowing for a degree of flexibility in the development and implementation of a DRM may require us to reflect on the highly controlled and pre-defined process of DRM Furthermore, the delivery of DRM is often coordinated at higher levels of governance by governments, ministries and civil protection authorities [9]. This may hinder the degree of flexibility WHSM may have in the design and delivery of a DRM in the drafted phases of the strategy.…”

“…Experts have also highlighted the potential harmonisation of CH protection and achieving the 2022 sustainable development goals [7,8]. Another crucial aspect of this paradigm shift is the integration of CH into disaster risk management (DRM) theory and practice [9][10][11][12][13]. The reasoning behind this integration is the perceived vulnerability of CH to the increasing severity and frequency of disaster events as a result of climate change [14][15][16].…”

Current Situation of Traditional Architecture Located inside Cultural Mayan Heritage Spaces in Remote Villages of Guatemala: Case of the Black Salt Kitchens

“…Culture and its inclusion in sustainable development has been researched lately, with more people being interested in the topic [1][2][3]. Sustainable development is defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" [4].…”