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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/K012770/1
Title: Organisational Operational Response and Strategic Decision Making for Long Term Flood Preparedness in Urban Areas
Principal Investigator: Coates, Professor G
Other Investigators:
Guan, Professor D McGuinness, Dr M McEwen, Professor L
Harries, Dr T Wright, Professor N
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Engineering and Computing Sciences
Organisation: Durham, University of
Scheme: IDEAS Factory Sandpits
Starts: 03 December 2012 Ends: 02 June 2016 Value (£): 1,049,917
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Coastal & Waterway Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Water
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Flooding presents a significant and growing challenge to the United Kingdom and the wider world. In the UK, the 2000 floods were the worst since 1947 and the 2007 floods resulted in the greatest loss of essential services since World War II. Given that milder, wetter winters and localised extreme weather events are likely to be a growing feature of climate patterns, this threat is likely to grow. In fact, some estimates suggest that by 25 years time annual UK flood damage could stand at £25bn.

The flooding of an organisation's premises causes loss, disruption and distress for staff, clients and owners and also impacts upon the wider economy. To reduce these negative effects, organisations in at-risk areas need to learn how to prepare for such events. Currently, businesses and not-for-profit groups rarely have proper plans in place for ensuring the continuity of their activities. The project will conduct empirical research into the behaviours of organisations, model their interactions with other organisations such as emergency responders, insurers and customers. It will also iteratively develop and test (with end users) a digital communication tool that will provide organisations practical information in an format that engages users in a tailored and active learning process. Drawing on the multidisciplinary skills of researchers from engineering, hydrology, economics, business and the behavioural/social sciences, this innovative approach will develop a model that can give private, public and third-sector organisations the confidence, understanding and information necessary to make their organisations financially, physically and operationally more resilient to flooding.
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