COMMUNITY HAZARDS
- Mission: to build capabilities at the University of Memphis to establish and implement realistic and comprehensive plans to improve the safety and preparedness of communities faced with terrorism, and natural or manmade hazards.
- Rationale: Several natural hazards threaten Memphis and the surrounding region including major earthquakes, flooding and severe winds. The region is also affected by anthropogenic hazards such as groundwater, soil and air pollution. Memphis is a likely target for terrorists because the city is a national hub for air and rail transportation.
- Role: The University of Memphis has two active research units with strong records in hazards mitigation: the Center for Earthquake Research and Information and the Ground Water Institute. Several University programs are actively involved in mitigating man-made hazards including terrorism.
- Central University Units: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Humphreys School of Law
- Core University Programs: hazard mitigation efforts are centered in the following programs, institutes, and centers:
School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Divisions of Public Admin. City and Regional Planning, Social Work
Departments of Civil Engineering, Earth Science, and Sociology
Architecture Program
Center for Earthquake Research and Information
Ground Water Institute
- Goal: the establishment of a Hazards Center that will use the integrated expertise of the University of Memphis faculty to analyze hazard-related issues using approaches ranging from pure science to direct interaction with the community.
- External Funding: support for basic research comes from national funding agencies (NSF, DOD, USGS) and funding for community initiatives is centered on local foundations, local government and state agencies with some federal funding including earmarks.
- Outside Partners: local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local foundations.
Peer institutions:
University of Colorado; Natural Hazards Center
Columbia University; Center for Hazards and Risk Research
University of Louisville; Center for Hazards Research and Policy Development
University College London ; The Benfield Hazard Research Centre
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