The 19th Mallet-Milne Lecture: Risk management and rehousing of people displaced by earthquake disasters

Overview

The Mallet-Milne lecture is SECED’s biennial prestige lecture, delivered by an eminent researcher or professional who has made significant contributions in the fields of seismology or earthquake engineering.

The 19th Mallet-Milne lecture will be delivered by Professor Michele Calvi, and is entitled “Risk management and rehousing of people displaced by earthquake disasters”.

In his lecture, Professor Calvi will describe reconstruction efforts following damaging earthquakes over the last century (and more) have typically taken place over years or decades, and the social upheaval resulting from large displaced populations can last even longer.

He will then describe a notable success story in the residential reconstruction programme following the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake in Italy, in which standardised base-isolation platforms were designed to allow resilient and rapid multi-unit housing development in months, rather than years. 

Learning from the L’Aquila programme, Professor Calvi outlines a risk management planning process that could be carried out across a country like Italy.

The proposal is to use quantitative risk assessment to identify urban areas with the highest risk of large numbers of displaced residents. Then, for each of these areas, it would be mandatory to develop an emergency reconstruction plan instead of a broader national plan.

This would entail maintaining a database of likely numbers and the type of housing required following a major earthquake, and pre-identification of other design requirements, such as land available and appropriate for building, seismic design accelerations, and local soil conditions.

Finally, Calvi demonstrates how reference base isolation designs can be developed for a range of seismic hazard levels and building sizes, such that isolated platforms can be rapidly developed in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. 

The lecture is free and open to everyone and will be followed by a drinks and canapés reception, where you’ll have the chance to network, share insights, and connect with fellow attendees. 

Tickets for the drinks reception are limited and priced at just £20 - early booking is highly encouraged. Book your ticket using the "Booking options" button above.

Programme