Abstract: Web 2.0 can be viewed as a platform where users can develop their own web applications. It is also characterized by a vast amount of user-generated contents presenting spatial and temporal components, by means of associated metadata. These metadata has been successfully exploited to generate map-based mashups (web applications gathering data from different sources) facing different kind of crisis situations, ranging from natural disasters (earthquakes, wildfires, floods...) to human-made disasters (terrorist attacks, school shootings, conflicts...). The social and collaborative dimensions of the Web 2.0 can be also exploited for managing crisis-related information. We present here a survey of current crisis-related mashups we employed to extract design dimensions and provide a conceptual framework that can be used: A) to understand current systems and; b) to design next generation of crisis-related mashups. We propose the eStoryS system as an example of application developed following the design principles presented in this paper. On the basis of our analysis, we believe that the design dimensions posited here provide useful insights for the design of novel web mashups in the emergency management domain.

Abstract: There is a growing global demand for planning and development interventions aimed at enhancing the resilience of human systems. Coinciding with this demand for resilience enhancement is the demand for rigorous monitoring and evaluation of resilience and of the efficacy of resilience interventions. The aim of these assessments is to help decision makers prioritise inputs in a way that will result in the greatest reduction of mortality, health effects, and economic losses. As a result, there is an almost insatiable hunger for data that can improve our understanding of the resilience of human systems in the face of disasters. This paper reflects on two ongoing projects that are part of the 'Resilience Trajectories' programme of the Resilience to Nature's Challenges National Science Challenge. The first project, the creation of a New Zealand Resilience Index, is used to illustrate the data-related challenges and limitations of quantitative resilience assessments. We argue that composite indicators are useful aids for having a robust discussion about resilience, but high-level indicators must be supplemented with local knowledge and contextual information to facilitate meaningful decision making. The second project, the Data Integration and Visualisation En Masse (DIVE) web-based data catalogue, presents a partial solution to some of the resilience data challenges we have observed in the creation of the national index.

Abstract: In Costa Rica, there is an acceptable work in the area of risk management and an advanced system of emergency response. However, it is recognized and accepted the lack of a comprehensive shared approach to manage disaster risk that involves the prevention of disasters in the National System for Disaster Risk Management (SNGR in Spanish). One of the main needs is the lack of a shared and accessible national platform of timely and updated information for risk management. Considering this weakness, we submitted a proposal to the authorities of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano (CSUCA) that was sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project seek to develop an information platform which uses a Content Management System with meta data, semantic , taxonomic and georeferenced information for local, regional and national levels in Costa Rica. The system also serves as a network for data producers, analysts, users of public and private institutions, and of the population in general.