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Centre for Natural Disaster Science
– a Brief Introduction

A natural disaster occurs when society is exposed to a natural hazard, e.g., a floods or a landslide. A natural disaster can cause enormous human, ecological and economical costs that often depend on social status, age and gender. Coordinated research from social, earth, and engineering sciences is needed to predict, mitigate and, if possible, prevent a natural disaster. In September 2009, the Swedish Governement decided to commission CNDS (Centre for Natural Disaster Science; se Background) as a national centre with Uppsala University as responsible authority in collaboration with the Swedish National Defence College and Karlstad University. CNDS shall efficiently collaborate with other projects within the natural disaster field, nationally and internationally.

CNDS objectives are to:

  • Develop tools for conducting negotiations and formulating treaties, which can effectively tackle and help prevent natural disasters.
  • Improve management of natural disasters by an increased understanding of their reasons (incl. socio-cultural and human behaviour).
  • Improve information handling and know-how on warning, decision, and other support systems in natural-disaster management.
  • Develop infrastructure that is robust in case of natural disasters, e.g., autonomous, secure, and robust energy generation, and information and communication technology. 

CNDS goals are to:

  • Become one of the most well-respected centres for natural-disaster science in the world.
  • Provide well-trained personnel to our stakeholders.
  • Improve Swedish and European natural-disaster databases.
  • Provide a better understanding from the in-situ research opportunities in Central America that can improve policies and crisis management of Swedish/international stakeholders.
  • Create commercial benefits for Swedish industry by reducing vulnerability and improving its products robustness.

Ånn

Swept-away railroad embankment after heavy rainfall at Ånn in the county of Jämtland 2006. A train with 60 passengers passed shortly before the embankment disappeared. Photo courtesy to MSB.
CNDS is

CNDS, Centre for Natural Disaster Science, is a national knowledge-centre for natural disasters, a joint initiative by Uppsala university, Karlstad university and the Swedish National Defence College.

Uppsala University logotype Karlstad University logotype National Defence College logotype

 

Objectives of CNDS

- To develop tools for conducting negotiations and formulating treaties, which can effectively tackle and help prevent natural disasters.

- To improve management of natural disasters by an increased understanding of their reasons (incl. socio-cultural and human behaviour).

- To improve information handling and know-how on warning, decision, and other support systems in natural-disaster management.

- To develop infrastructure that is robust in case of natural disasters, e.g., autonomous, secure, and robust energy generation, and information and communication technology.

 

Goals of CNDS

- To become one of the most well-respected centres for natural-disaster science in the world.

- To provide well-trained personnel to our stakeholders.

- To improve Swedish and European natural-disaster databases.

- To provide a better understanding from the in-situ research opportunities in Central America that can improve policies and crisis management of Swedish/international stakeholders.

- To create commercial benefits for Swedish industry by reducing vulnerability and improving its products robustness.