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PPPM Master's Defense: Madeleine Pluss

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 11:30am to 12:45pm

Volcanology Hall, Room 307 13th & University Streets, Eugene, OR 97403

The public is invited to attend Madeleine Pluss’ Master’s Defense

Wednesday May 24, 11:30am

In Volcanology Room 307

Title: Social Vulnerability and Dam Risk

A methodology for understanding the relationship between demographic characteristics and hazard threat in Denver County

Madeleine Pluss

Master of Community and Regional Planning, June 2017

Abstract

There are over 80,000 dams three feet high or greater in the US, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers’ National Inventory of Dams, and at least a quarter of the dams listed are more than 50 years old. Many aging dams can no longer manage the waters they were built to control because of changes in river flows and weather patterns. Dam failure poses a significant threat to communities throughout the City and County of Denver. Though probability of the event is low, the implications of failure are high. To better inform mitigation and recovery planning, it is essential that emergency managers have a clear understanding of the demographics of potentially inundated communities, their barriers to evacuation, and what can be done to improve these conditions. Racial minorities, children, elders, disabled people, individuals living in poverty, and residents of certain types of housing are disproportionately affected by natural disasters. The purpose of this study is to outline an effective methodology for looking more closely at the individuals, the infrastructure, and critical facilities that could potentially be impacted in the event of dam failure.

 

 

Event Type

Academic, Research, Masters, Free

Departments

College of Design, College of Design: School of Planning, Public Policy and Management

Target Audience

General Public, Graduate Students, All Students, Faculty/Staff, New Students, Alumni

Cost

Free.

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