Post-disaster peparedness : implementing techno-centric approaches in a socio-technic environment

Abstract

Data analysis in the diverse domains has traversed a path that evolved from one employing purely techno-centric approaches based on the concentration of technology as the fulcrum for research to one that is gathering pace towards the implementation of such technologies as a tool for the social sciences. This evolution is being successfully used for a wide range of functions including policy-making, implementation and monitoring interventions on levels of such areas as environmental monitoring to land use assessment to crime analysis. This migration to the data as against the technology as the major focal point has resulted in a wider legacy disseminated through real-time and updated systems that allow socio-economic and related data to be mapped and displayed either on an intranet or on the internet. As an example, the latter, through Web-GIS functionality has enabled users to view social interactionism in a neighbourhood as well as report that on-line. Most current tools still leave much to be desired but they are being improved to an extent that real fully interactive web-maps will soon be regarded as the main modus operandi enabling real-time research. The functions enable regular monitoring and updating of data, though work is still required to automatically transform that data to information and eventually to knowledge leading to effective policymaking and in terms of disaster management real-time implementation measures.