Designing a Cultural Heritage Articulated Warning System (CHAWS) strategy to improve disaster risk preparedness in Brazil
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study an articulated warning system that provides information about the heritage at risk and encourages a dialogue between the heritage sector, civil defense agencies and local communities.
Design/methodology/approach
The databases from the National Heritage Institute, National Civil Defense, National Geological Service and National Early Warning System were investigated and the local community provided input which helped form a participatory risk mapping strategy for a warning system in the heritage sector.
Findings
There is little knowledge of the Brazilian heritage that is at risk and a lack of coordination between the cultural heritage and DRR sectors. This means that there is a need to organize the geo-referenced databases so that information can be shared and the public provided with broader access. As a result, there can be a greater production, dissemination and application of knowledge to help protect the cultural heritage.
Practical implications
The findings can be included in the debate about the importance of framing disaster risk management (DRM) policies in the Brazilian heritage sector.
Social implications
The findings and maps of the case study in the town of São Luiz do Paraitinga involve the heritage sector, civil defense agencies and local people and can be used for disaster risk preparedness.
Originality/value
A DRM program is being formulated in Brazil. However, the kind of strategy needed to incorporate the heritage sector in this program stills needs to be planned, and the knowledge of the cultural heritage at risk is a key factor when faced with this new social and scientific challenge.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Victor Marchezini would like to thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil, for his PhD scholarship (Grant No. 09/54877-5) and Daniel Messias dos Santos for his support in the workshops in São Luiz do Paraitinga city. Allan Yu Iwama is grateful to the Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Brazil, for his post-doc scholarship (Grant No. 202.413/2017) and the post-doc scholarship provided by the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FONDECYT), Chile (Grant No. 3180705/2018). The opinions, ideas and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAPESP, FAPERJ and FONDECYT.
Citation
Marchezini, V., Iwama, A.Y., Pereira, D.C., da Conceição, R.S., Trajber, R. and Olivato, D. (2019), "Designing a Cultural Heritage Articulated Warning System (CHAWS) strategy to improve disaster risk preparedness in Brazil", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 65-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-07-2018-0227
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