SPACE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION; CASE OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN CAMEROON
- Paper number
IAC-11,B1,5,9,x9291
- Author
Mr. Buh Gaston, Cameroon
- Year
2011
- Abstract
Space technology (specifically satellite technology) and imagery with high spectral resolution has evolved, with increasing open discussion on the potential of foreseeable tools in all sorts of scientific and social areas. Satellite technology now occupies part of our daily (working) life. Personal navigation systems and desktop earth observation application such as Google Earth are exposing millions of users to the amazing world of remote sensing from space with Earth Observation data and Geographic information Systems (GIS) proving useful tools for effective decision making. African countries with less-updated maps routinely depend on satellite imagery combined with local field surveys and used in a variety of task. GEADIRR- a Cameroon based local NGO do run analyses on the geophysical risk facing local communities in Cameroon and helps in developing plans for improved urban and rural risk management. Risk analyses are carried out by combining geophysical and geological parameters (land cover types, elevation, slope, hydrographic network) together with socio-economic parameters (population distribution, density, and asset values), all this information are allocated to geographical distribution, hence applicable to GIS. This risk assessment survey are directly applicable to the people living in the specific at-risk zones; a community based approach using detailed local knowledge about the community in combination with space technology and GIS has proven a winning combination, creating resilient environments, disaster risk reduction and strategy sustainable development.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)