Risk prevention in the context of planning and urban development

1. Risk prevention in the context of planning and urbandevelopment MINISTERUL TRANSPORTURILOR, CONSTRUCTIILOR SI TURISMULUI ROMANIA László BORBÉLYdelegate Minister for Public Works and Spatial Planning and PROTECTING SOCIETIES FROM DISASTERS THROUGH PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION: A POLITICAL PRIORITY 11TH MINISTERIAL SESSION OFTHE EUROPEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN MAJOR HAZARDS AGREEMENT (EUR-OPA) – 31. 10. 2006 – Marrakesh

2. Abstract • Basic views • Role of spatial planning • Prevention  Controls on vulnerability • The Romanian system of major hazard management • Knowledge and Planning • Emergency Interventions • Reconstruction • Knowledge and Planning actions • Reconstruction • Remarks regarding the EUR OPA works and documents

3. Basic Views – Policy aspects Knowledge spheres SOCIAL ECONOMIC REALITIES NATURE/ hazards BUILT ENVIRONMENT/ technics & vulnerabilities current events settlements industries social facts HUMANITIES RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES EVERY DAY LIFE ACTIVITIES

4. Basic Views – Policy aspects Knowledge spheres SOCIAL ECONOMIC REALITIES NATURE/ hazards BUILT ENVIRONMENT/ technics & vulnerabilities current events settlements industries social facts HUMANITIES RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES EVERY DAY LIFE ACTIVITIES

5. VULNERABILITY HAZARD Basic Views – spatial planning rules =RISK HOW TO REDUCE/avoid CATASTROPHE ? !CATASTROPHE!

6. HAZARD and KNOWLEDGE about hazard Basic Views – Our concept on Prevention CAREFUL SPATIAL PLANNING & RESPECT OF THE RULES = PREVENTION

7. New building code in 1983, Master Plan for Bucharest The ESPLANADA project, a major intervention at the heart of Bucharest

8. The Romanian system of major hazard management MTCT & Local Governments SPATIAL PLANNING Min. of Interior and Local Governments EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS MTCT & Local Governments RECONSTRUCTION

9. Knowledge, planning and actions • We are benefiting the network of knowledge and research institutions such as: • INCERC – incorporating the EUR-OPA labeled Center • URBANPROIECT – specialized in land-use planning and spatial strategic planning • CDCAS – specialized in information storage, processing and dissemination in the field of architecture and constructions • We are running ministerial programs targeting • Hazard mapping – financial and technical support for vulnerable communities • Zoning plans – financial and methodological support for small settlements • Urban databases – financial and methodological support targeting a unified and standard content and structure for these data collections • Built stock management • Related to seismic characteristics of the territory • Observation – INCERC developed an effective observation system for both research and operational purposes • Building code management – basic review after the 1977 big earthquake, we are working on harmonizing our building code to the european one • Retrofitting • Of important functional buildings (under a 70 MUSD World Bank project) • Emergency structural interventions on buildings classified as belonging to built heritage • Thermic rehabilitation • Of multi story apartment buildings • Part of our urban regeneration efforts

10. Relief actions in areas affected by floods in 2005 2006

11. Our Reconstruction efforts • In 2005 • 1076 dwellings reconstructed • Raw materials distributed for other 8800 houses • In 2006 • Until now 500 dwellings reconstructed • Raw materials distributed for other 3838 houses • Local housing traditions respected but lot of debates regarding the nature and the quality of the state aid!

12. Lessons learned from reconstruction activity • Preparedness for disaster relief could include financial capacity aspects! • It would be of interest to evaluate the possibility of cooperation of the states in the field of financial models and/or practices • Coordination of the aid efforts is also of major importance, regarding the public/private and national/international • Preparedness for disaster could include procedures for reconstruction process! • Where to reconstruct? • How disasters can impact on property structure? How the losses will be shared? Or not? • Is it possible to take “advantage” of a catastrophe? How to plan this? • Preparedness for disaster relief could include proper decisions during the planning process! • There are several spatial preconditions for emergency planning and interventions • Emergency functions of the settlements and buildings should be parts of the spatial development rules

13. Ministerial session documents • General comments on the activities • The committee of the permanent representatives and the Secretariat of the Partial Agreement achieved significant progresses in 2005&2006. Thank you all working hard on reforming our Agreement! • The network of research entities provided the necessary scientific support for our common work. Thank you for their valuable inputs! • Congratulation for the intentions to reestablish the relations • With other international initiatives. • I would emphasize the special importance of the cooperation with the CEMAT which can be considered EUR-OPA brother agreement! • I consider an important progress in the Agreement’s strategy to enter in direct dialogue with the Congress of Local and Regional powers • I think that the documents to be endorsed by the Ministers were carefully worked, circulated and consulted. Approving them will be the recognition of these progresses

14. Thank you for your kind attention László BORBÉLYdelegate Minister for Public Works and Spatial Planning and Borbely@mt.ro