VITRUV

Vulnerability Identification Tools for Resilience Enhancements of Urban Environments

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The vulnerability of urban environments remains an undeveloped theme. With half of the world’s population currently living in urban centres, and with this figure set to increase to two-thirds by 2050, the issue of security and citizen safety is of paramount importance and a growing concern. In view of the growing number of threats from global terrorism, natural disasters or crime, urban planning practice must incorporate appropriate security measures for vulnerability identification and resilience enhancements. Urban planning is a process involving numerous stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams. Although the use of software tools plays a significant role in this complex process, yet, none exist that take into consideration the security (and connected safety) aspects of urban planning as a whole. Urban planning teams need tools that fully encompass the pre-application process with developers/designers, and facilitate flexible solutions, not imposed measures. The objective of VITRUV is the development of software tools for the long and complex screening process, which is urban planning, moving across three levels from concept to plan to detail design. Based on an all hazard risk approach, the tools will enable planners • to make well-considered systematic qualitative decisions (concept level), • to analyse the susceptibility of urban spaces (e.g. building types, squares, public transport, and their functionalities) with respect to new threats (plan level), and • to perform vulnerability analyses of urban spaces by computing the likely damage on individuals, buildings, traffic infrastructure (detail level). All levels (concept, plan and detail) will contribute to enabling the development of more robust and resilient space in the field of urban (re)planning/(re)design/(re)engineering. Planners who use VITRUV’s tools will be able to deliver urban space less prone to and less affected by attacks and disasters, thus sustainably improving the security of citizens'

Introduzione (Teaser)

New software tools now under development are set to support urban planners and government officials in enhancing security across European towns and cities.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

A high standard of living depends to a large extent on a safe and secure urban environment, representing a vision that the EU is eager to realise in all its cities. The EU-funded project 'Vulnerability identification tools for resilience enhancements of urban environments' (VITRUV) is developing software tools for urban planners to further the viability of urban projects, designs and concepts. In particular, a set of Internet-compatible tools is assisting urban planners and city administrators to assess security weaknesses and propose solutions, rendering the urban environment much more resilient.

The software in question is framing urban security issues in relation to urban planners' decisions regarding spaces, including economic, ethical, social, safety and mobility considerations. Such threats could include the use of explosives, biological agents or chemical attacks. The solution involves outlining tools, methods and best practices for improved urban planning and assessment based on advanced algorithms that help identify specific urban security vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.

In more technical terms, the computer-based tool employs automated empirical and semi-quantitative risk analysis (ERA) based on database analysis and expert judgment. It also applies automated quantitative risk analysis (QRA) that examines location, building types, structural elements and load-bearing considerations, factoring in vulnerability analysis as well. The toolset comprises a 3D graphic user interface that offers resilience enhancement measures and their costs, enabling full 3D visualisation of urban planning scenarios, analysis input and results.

Already, the project team has developed preliminary versions of the ERA module and for quantitative modules covering explosive, biological and chemical threats. It conducted urban case studies across urban environments in Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom.

More specifically, three valuable tools are expected to emerge from the project. The first is a concept-level tool supporting risk assessment, a knowledge base and recommendations to further analyse specific risks. The second is a planning-level tool that offers susceptibility analysis of infrastructure, vulnerability analysis of consequences after an event, and identification of hotspots at risk. Last is a detail-level tool that can also be used for susceptibility analysis to cover finer details such as inaccessibility of streets, as well as quantify potential damage to buildings and people. It can also estimate disruption to traffic and identify vulnerable areas or buildings, in addition to helping enhance resilience such as through the replacement or upgrading of specific infrastructure components. More about these tools can be found on the http://www.vitruv-project.eu/ (project website) . Much progress has been achieved on many other fronts, including a draft version of the knowledge base.

Overall, VITRUV stands to enhance urban planning by integrating security and safety considerations, improving policymaking and accountability as well. These tools will help build urban areas that have less crime, social instability and even terrorism. This could be the start of a brave new paradigm in urban planning, and the EU could lead the way in this respect.