An Introduction to Infrastructure and Climate Resilience with NISMOD

File 1 contains an outline of the course, its learning objectives, duration, and example assessment methods. In File 2, an example timetable is provided that suggests time allocations. File 3 provides a reading list containing key publications and other related interesting publications.

This lecture block introduces the concept of infrastructure networks and hazards, and builds the theory underlining infrastructure network spatial risk analysis. We define what is meant by infrastructures, hazards, exposures and vulnerabilities in a general context. The concept of infrastructure resilience is also introduced. This is followed by explaining the theory of quantifying hazards for infrastructure risk analysis. The concept of loss-probability curves and the calculations of expected risks is also discussed. The concepts are demonstrated through an example of river flooding over a road network.

This lecture block gives an introduction to infrastructure flow and failure modelling frameworks. First, we look at the spatial aspects of infrastructure service provision, with a short introduction to infrastructure specific spatial data. Second, we cover fundamentals of spatial mapping and flow simulation modelling of transport systems and show the disruption metrics created from such models. Third, we explain the water infrastructure network and the disruptions that affect water supplies, from asset-related failures to source-related failures. Finally, we explain spatial and simulation modelling of flows and impacts of climate hazards on energy systems.

This lecture explores the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate extremes. The lecture begins with an overview of the asset level vulnerability of infrastructure, and how this can be quantified. The latter two mini-lectures go on to explore the systemic vulnerability of infrastructure networks, given the nature of spatial dependency between extreme events at multiple asset locations.

This lecture provides an overview of the full range of consequences of infrastructure failure. The differences between direct and indirect damages are discussed, before exploring the impacts to dependent populations and economic activities.

In this lecture block, we will take a look at how to analyse future risks to infrastructure networks. In particular, this block will focus on the use of climate scenarios, climate models and hazard models to predict how climate change will change the occurrence of hazards and the exposure and risk to infrastructure assets.

In this Lecture block, we look at the change in future risk to infrastructure because of changes in the use and expansion of infrastructure networks. We look more closely into future socio-economic growth scenarios and how they can inform infrastructure expansion and risk. This is followed by an overview of additional methodologies and considerations to predict future infrastructure needs and inform planning. The lecture block finishes with detailed case studies on St Lucia and Curaçao, which are used to go through a process of future risk evaluation that is factored into infrastructure planning.

In the lecture block, we look at the decision-making process for infrastructure resilience. We start by identifying which interventions can reduce asset risk and improve infrastructure network resilience. Having identified these interventions, we will discuss and evaluate different ways to decide what interventions are most suitable. We cover traditional evaluation approaches (cost-benefit analysis) as well as frameworks that look at making optimal decisions under uncertainty. Finally, we bring these elements together and explain processes for good decision-making by including stakeholders, deciding upon tolerable thresholds and identifying adaptation pathways.