GE4-306 Natural hazards in spatial planning

Contents and structure

The course provides the student with insights into different kinds of natural hazards. Focus is laid on geohazards and hazard types that may be sensitive to climatic factors and changes, e.g. landslides, floods and wildfires. In addition, the course gives insights into processes that, in turn, may affect weather and climate. Examples of these phenomena are investigated further during practical exercises. An important part of the training aims to enable the student to recognize and understand the potential danger of natural hazards and assess their risk. This training allows the student to evaluate the need for mitigation measures and the potential in risk reduction for different types of measures.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

The student has knowledge about:

• driving and triggering factors of natural hazards and how they interplay
• process development and propagation of hazardous events
• how climate change can affect the frequency and magnitude of natural hazards
• how natural hazards can affect infrastructure and people

Skills:

The student will able to:

• understand the content of reports and articles dealing with natural hazards.
• conduct basic assessments of the danger and extent of potential events, based on the analysis of maps, databases, available reports and numerical models

General competence:

The student can:

• communicate with decision-makers and the general public about natural hazards
• identify and specify potential hazard zones that should be assessed by specialists (e.g. geologists) before spatial plans are implemented

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Lessons, assignments, project work and field trips.

Field trips:

Excursions to different locations in western Norway, where students investigate unstable/slide-prone slopes, morphological landslide features and flood damage

Compulsory learning activities

• Approved reports from 3/3 written assignments
• 1/1 approved digital test
• Attendance of 3 field trips and approved associated field reports
• Preparation and attendance of Paper discussion
• Attendance of Climate change and natural hazards lecture and discussion
• Project work and approved poster and oral presentation of the project

The project consists of a comparison of approaches towards hazard mapping and integrating natural hazards in spatial planning in different countries. Students work together in groups of 2-4 to prepare a scientific poster which will be presented in a public poster session.

Assessment

Individual 4 hrs written exam

Grading A-F

Examination support material

Ruler

Simple calculator

More about examination support material