Disaster Risk Science: A Geographical Perspective and a Research Framework

TLDR

Disaster risk science studies the disaster system—hazard, geographical environment, and exposed units—whose regional, interconnected, and complex nature, together with environmental stability, hazard threat, and socioeconomic vulnerability, determines disaster formation, spatial impact, and loss scale, while the environment modulates hazard intensity and loss patterns and multi‑hazard interactions can amplify or attenuate effects. The article reviews the UN’s 30‑year disaster risk reduction strategy, examines recent progress and key scientific questions, proposes a three‑layer disciplinary structure with three pillars, nine core areas, and 27 research fields, and discusses frontiers in disaster risk science research. The authors propose a three‑layer disaster risk science disciplinary structure comprising three pillars—disaster science, disaster technology, and disaster governance—along with nine core areas and 27 research fields.

Abstract

Abstract In this article, we recall the United Nations’ 30-year journey in disaster risk reduction strategy and framework, review the latest progress and key scientific and technological questions related to the United Nations disaster risk reduction initiatives, and summarize the framework and contents of disaster risk science research. The object of disaster risk science research is the “disaster system” consisting of hazard, the geographical environment, and exposed units, with features of regionality, interconnectedness, coupling, and complexity. Environmental stability, hazard threat, and socioeconomic vulnerability together determine the way that disasters are formed, establish the spatial extent of disaster impact, and generate the scale of losses. In the formation of a disaster, a conducive environment is the prerequisite, a hazard is the necessary condition, and socioeconomic exposure is the sufficient condition. The geographical environment affects local hazard intensity and therefore can change the pattern of loss distribution. Regional multi-hazard, disaster chain, and disaster compound could induce complex impacts, amplifying or attenuating hazard intensity and changing the scope of affected areas. In the light of research progress, particularly in the context of China, we propose a three-layer disaster risk science disciplinary structure, which contains three pillars (disaster science, disaster technology, and disaster governance), nine core areas, and 27 research fields. Based on these elements, we discuss the frontiers in disaster risk science research.