Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management
This short essay examines the current role of technologies of observation in disaster risk management, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on these systems to address extreme natural hazards. While advances in observation and prediction tools, such as seismographs, weather satellites, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Bologna
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Sociologica |
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| Online Access: | https://sociologica.unibo.it/article/view/21077 |
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| _version_ | 1849314155071275008 |
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| author | Magdalena Gil |
| author_facet | Magdalena Gil |
| author_sort | Magdalena Gil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This short essay examines the current role of technologies of observation in disaster risk management, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on these systems to address extreme natural hazards. While advances in observation and prediction tools, such as seismographs, weather satellites, and early warning systems, have improved societies’ capacity to anticipate and mitigate disasters, these technologies are not without challenges. Complex socio-technical systems remain prone to failures, and are difficult to interpret. Overall, uncertainty often prevails during emergencies. Using examples from Chile and Spain, this paper argues that the focus of disaster management should shift from the enhancement of technological precision to empowering decision-makers and communities to act effectively under conditions of uncertainty. I propose focusing on improving situational assessments, by emphasizing the importance of interpretation, translation, and even improvisation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e13af0768b974d57bcb2e8ef3fbaa0d3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1971-8853 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | University of Bologna |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sociologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-e13af0768b974d57bcb2e8ef3fbaa0d32025-08-20T03:52:32ZengUniversity of BolognaSociologica1971-88532025-05-0119115516410.6092/issn.1971-8853/2107719451Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk ManagementMagdalena Gil0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5166-4793Escuela de Gobierno, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (CIGIDEN)This short essay examines the current role of technologies of observation in disaster risk management, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on these systems to address extreme natural hazards. While advances in observation and prediction tools, such as seismographs, weather satellites, and early warning systems, have improved societies’ capacity to anticipate and mitigate disasters, these technologies are not without challenges. Complex socio-technical systems remain prone to failures, and are difficult to interpret. Overall, uncertainty often prevails during emergencies. Using examples from Chile and Spain, this paper argues that the focus of disaster management should shift from the enhancement of technological precision to empowering decision-makers and communities to act effectively under conditions of uncertainty. I propose focusing on improving situational assessments, by emphasizing the importance of interpretation, translation, and even improvisation.https://sociologica.unibo.it/article/view/21077disastersobservationuncertaintyrisks |
| spellingShingle | Magdalena Gil Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management Sociologica disasters observation uncertainty risks |
| title | Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management |
| title_full | Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management |
| title_short | Beyond Technologies of Observation. Accepting Uncertainty in Disaster Risk Management |
| title_sort | beyond technologies of observation accepting uncertainty in disaster risk management |
| topic | disasters observation uncertainty risks |
| url | https://sociologica.unibo.it/article/view/21077 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT magdalenagil beyondtechnologiesofobservationacceptinguncertaintyindisasterriskmanagement |