Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DIRECTED (DIsaster Resilience for Extreme ClimaTe Events providing interoperable Data, models, communication and governance)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-02-01 do 2025-09-30
The recent droughts and unprecedented floods in 2021 and 2023 in Europe have illustrated our vulnerability to extreme weather events. Besides climate change as a driver of more frequent and intensifying weather extremes, demographic change and socio-economic development exacerbate severe impacts. International frameworks for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (e.g. SENDAI framework, EU Climate Adaptation Strategy & EU disaster risk management policies) acknowledge the critical need for integrating risk governance, communication and operational mechanisms for coping with extreme climate. DIRECTED seeks to foster disaster-resilient societies through improving collaborations and communication among scientific, technical, and policy-makers, and local communities regarding extreme climate events and a multi-risk perspective on forest fires, droughts, floods, heatwaves, and storms, to support disaster risk reduction. Our four European Real World Labs (RWL’s) are at the centre of our efforts to improve interoperability for data, models, communication and governance in the context for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). DIRECTED will improve interoperability with an integrated federated system, which connects different instances and data sources on public and private clouds under a centralized interface, known as a Data-Fabric. The Data-Fabric will adapt to changing CCA and DRM requirements for data, models and visualizations. Our RWLs will co-produce a plug and play system that lowers the cost of implementing new and connecting existing modeling environments and data sources.
DIRECTED has seven core objectives, which include creating an overview of current knowledge, policies, tools, and best practices for DRM and CCA decision-making; advancing the interoperability of data, models, and tools; co-developing a new multi-level integrated risk governance framework (Risk-Tandem framework) for the coherent integration between DRM and CCA policies; demonstrating the potential of transdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder co-production as a means to unpack enablers, barriers for developing transformative tools and improved risk management strategies; leveraging innovative digital architectures using a Data-Fabric technique to support integrated multi-hazard DRM and CCA workflows; demonstrating the feasibility for integrated cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary coordination of the DRM cycle; and strengthening DRM and resilience-building in our RWLs and beyond.
DIRECTED has seven core objectives, which include creating an overview of current knowledge, policies, tools, and best practices for DRM and CCA decision-making; advancing the interoperability of data, models, and tools; co-developing a new multi-level integrated risk governance framework (Risk-Tandem framework) for the coherent integration between DRM and CCA policies; demonstrating the potential of transdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder co-production as a means to unpack enablers, barriers for developing transformative tools and improved risk management strategies; leveraging innovative digital architectures using a Data-Fabric technique to support integrated multi-hazard DRM and CCA workflows; demonstrating the feasibility for integrated cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary coordination of the DRM cycle; and strengthening DRM and resilience-building in our RWLs and beyond.
The work performed during the months 17-36 of the DIRECTED Project has primarily included:
- RWL activities successfully transitioned from foundational setup to active knowledge co-production of technical and governance solutions, concurrently advancing project evaluation via forensic analysis (T1.3). Implementation followed the iterative Risk-Tandem Framework (T3.2) translating stakeholder needs into actionable Data Fabric user stories, while specific RWLs developed tools, conducted simulations, validated scenarios, and formalized inter-organizational coordination protocols.
- Based on a stock-taking of interoperability standards, the portfolio of models and data used was adapted and reworked. All data now adheres to internationally accepted OGC standards, and models were modified to process this standardized data seamlessly. Models were also enhanced with new features, improved setup, and streamlined communication (APIs) to support co-developed workflows in the RWLs.
- The Risk-Tandem Framework was applied in each RWL via the Risk-Tandem Indicators (D3.2) leading to insights on assessing and improving the integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) processes. Interviews and workshops were conducted with stakeholders and hosts to gather feedback on how best to sustain the tailored framework beyond the project's end.
- The launch of the Tandem capacity development modules (D4.1) was achieved, informed by extensive RWL engagement and systematic needs analysis. Work on a draft for D4.2 has begun to bridge gaps between user needs and model information, supported by innovative work on CCA-DRR terminology and a collaboration with the University of Arts, London. The Tandem co-production framework is being iteratively refined, and WP4 is developing a detailed MEL approach.
- The requirement analysis of the Data Fabric was concluded and followed by an intense co-development phase, resulting in the release of version 1 for all RWLs as planned. Based on individual interoperability use-cases, the web-application integrates different regional and large-scale data sets, DIRECTED models, and tailored interactive information products for RWL stakeholders.
- RWL activities successfully transitioned from foundational setup to active knowledge co-production of technical and governance solutions, concurrently advancing project evaluation via forensic analysis (T1.3). Implementation followed the iterative Risk-Tandem Framework (T3.2) translating stakeholder needs into actionable Data Fabric user stories, while specific RWLs developed tools, conducted simulations, validated scenarios, and formalized inter-organizational coordination protocols.
- Based on a stock-taking of interoperability standards, the portfolio of models and data used was adapted and reworked. All data now adheres to internationally accepted OGC standards, and models were modified to process this standardized data seamlessly. Models were also enhanced with new features, improved setup, and streamlined communication (APIs) to support co-developed workflows in the RWLs.
- The Risk-Tandem Framework was applied in each RWL via the Risk-Tandem Indicators (D3.2) leading to insights on assessing and improving the integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) processes. Interviews and workshops were conducted with stakeholders and hosts to gather feedback on how best to sustain the tailored framework beyond the project's end.
- The launch of the Tandem capacity development modules (D4.1) was achieved, informed by extensive RWL engagement and systematic needs analysis. Work on a draft for D4.2 has begun to bridge gaps between user needs and model information, supported by innovative work on CCA-DRR terminology and a collaboration with the University of Arts, London. The Tandem co-production framework is being iteratively refined, and WP4 is developing a detailed MEL approach.
- The requirement analysis of the Data Fabric was concluded and followed by an intense co-development phase, resulting in the release of version 1 for all RWLs as planned. Based on individual interoperability use-cases, the web-application integrates different regional and large-scale data sets, DIRECTED models, and tailored interactive information products for RWL stakeholders.
Scientific, Societal and Economic Results and Impacts:
• The Tandem Process (SEI) has improved scientific workflows for stakeholder engagement and knowledge accumulation from stakeholders, guidance for the application of Tandem was published
• Improved capacity for the scientific community to couple data sets and models from multiple sources through the developed interoperability framework in the Data Fabric. The Data Fabric has been delivered as a prototype. A compendium of model improvements was published with links to open repositories
• The Data Fabric was integrated into the operations of the Civil Protection of the Emilia-Romagna region, actively reducing their work complexity and increasing operational preparedness.
• The Risk-Tandem Framework has been actively used in stakeholder engagement, published to the scientific community and updated with RWL input.
• Increasing Awareness on Silos in Data Interoperability and Governance. Through RWLs activities, the project outlined the potential for cohesive data sharing and governance structures, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to data management across different sectors involved in disaster resilience.
• The Tandem Process (SEI) has improved scientific workflows for stakeholder engagement and knowledge accumulation from stakeholders, guidance for the application of Tandem was published
• Improved capacity for the scientific community to couple data sets and models from multiple sources through the developed interoperability framework in the Data Fabric. The Data Fabric has been delivered as a prototype. A compendium of model improvements was published with links to open repositories
• The Data Fabric was integrated into the operations of the Civil Protection of the Emilia-Romagna region, actively reducing their work complexity and increasing operational preparedness.
• The Risk-Tandem Framework has been actively used in stakeholder engagement, published to the scientific community and updated with RWL input.
• Increasing Awareness on Silos in Data Interoperability and Governance. Through RWLs activities, the project outlined the potential for cohesive data sharing and governance structures, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to data management across different sectors involved in disaster resilience.