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Safe Cities On-line Course, Philippines
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| August 25 – September 19, 2008 |
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| Description
Objectives
Agenda
Partners
Target Audience
Contact
| | Description | This course is joint offering of National Disaster Coordinating Council and World Bank Institute, in partnership with Earthquake Megacities Initiative.
The consequences of natural disasters on economic activities, property, human welfare and natural resources can be devastating. These events greatly affect the productive sectors of the economy, not to mention the impacts on communities, in particular, the poor.
In the last decades, we can observe increasing frequency and scale of natural disasters in developing world. A recent report lists the following reasons of higher disaster risks developing countries are facing: (i) geographical location in areas which are more vulnerable to climatic and geological events, (ii) population growth and urbanization that contributes to high density settlements, overexploitation of natural resources and growing number of settlements in endangered areas, (iii) lack of financial, organizational, legal and personal capacity to reduce disaster risk through prevention and mitigation measures.
Poorly designed and implemented urban development policies and investment decisions, badly selected location for housing projects, missing or non-enforced land use regulations and construction codes all contribute to vulnerability and the consequent risk of further disasters. These factors result in increased damage inflicted during hazard events.
Language The language of the course is English. Course Format The course consists self-paced modules, discussion forums, exercises, readings, case studies, tests and learning via interaction with program faculty and peers. The course includes 3 audio sessions of expert lectures for 40–45 minutes each. Course Expectations Participants are expected to commit 8–10 hours per week in order to gain the most out of this course in addition to: Complete the required reading assignments
Participate in all online activities. Participation involves posting a minimum of two messages per week that are substantive in nature. The message can be either a new topic or a reply to someone else's message.
Participants are encouraged to post more often than twice a week in order to be involved more deeply into topics.
Participate in videoconferencing and asynchronous chat sessions (if applicable)
Complete assignments and end of course project
Complete course evaluation at the end of the course 
| | Objective |
Safe Cities is part of the comprehensive Natural Disaster Risk Management Program developed by the World Bank Institute with support from WB Hazard Management Unit and Prevention Consortium. The objective of this specialization course is to address particular concerns of urban managers and planners. It reviews the necessary processes, regulations – related to land use, infrastructure, construction, building codes – enforcement issues and methods to reduce the exposure to hazards and limit the physical vulnerability of high density settlements. It intends to develop a wider and increased understanding of disaster risk reduction practices and enhance their effectiveness.
| | Agenda | The course consists of presentations, case studies, readings and an end of course exercise. During the course, instructors and facilitators from National Disaster Coordinating Council, Earthquake Megacities Initiative and the World Bank Institute will guide the participants and evaluate the project work.
| | Partners |
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), and Earthquake Megacities Initiative (EMI)
| | Target Audience |
This course is offered to a group of local government officials, policymakers, consultants, researchers and professors of training institutions, who are interested in development challenges and issues related to natural disaster risk management. Once the course has ended, participants from training institutions are welcome to replicate this training for their staff, for central and local government officials. Donors working in hazard and disaster related projects could also apply to attend the course.
| | Contact | Tara Ledesma from Earthquake Megacities Initiative: taral@emi-megacities.org
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