During a disaster, the most vulnerable communities are often disconnected from the decisions and processes that impact their ability to recover. Our work assesses how planners, community organizers, and nonprofit leaders can and have work together to accurately measure community needs and coordinate equitable emergency response.
Our recovery social vulnerability indices provide a first glance look at the characteristics of a community that might impact its ability to recover. Our rSVI expands upon the current CDC Social Vulnerability Index by redefining and identifying new variables that can highlight the communities most vulnerable to disasters.
Community asset mapping shows the resources and local leadership present within a community. We use our community asset and network map to understand how resources are mobilized and communicated between local organizations, municipalities, and other types of community leadership.
Rising Above the Deluge Capstone Team
University of Michigan
Taubman College
2000 Bonisteel Boulevard
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Project Documentation
The Role of Community Networks Analysis in Disaster Preparedness and Response
This white paper accomplishes two things. First, it provides an understanding of how networks between community organizations and households influence disaster recovery. Second, this white paper offers ways beyond current disaster response frameworks to leverage these existing social connections within communities to more effectively target communities for disaster preparedness training and distribution of recovery resources. Together, this white paper introduces a method for incorporating social networks, community assets, and social capital into disaster recovery efforts.
Read more