The Role of Geographic Information Science & Technology in Disaster Management

Abstract

The proliferation of geographic information science & technology (GIS&T) throughout disaster/hazard research and practice enables and facilitates placed-based approaches for disaster risk reduction. Geographic information systems (GIS), one type of GIS&T geo-technology, is commonly applied in the hazards/disaster context. Rapidly evolving technologies now provide a platform to engage in community-based and geo-enabled mobile technologies have rapidly expanded the potential for widespread geographic problem-solving and decision-making. This chapter focuses on GIS&T potential for disaster spatial (geographic) decision support systems (DM-SDSS), highlighting the ways these technologies can integrate physical and social science approaches to support disaster risk reduction. The first part of the chapter provides a brief background of GIS&T and the basics of a DM-SDSS. This is followed by examples of current GIS applications in disaster management, a discussion of challenges and opportunities, and suggested directions for future research.