Housner Fellow Individual Project Proposal - Vivek Rawal
DEVELOPING A WEB PORTAL AS AN ONLINE ACADEMY FOR SEISMIC SAFETY
Background Context
In Indian context, building construction has focused attention in past 50-70 years on a
fewer materials, in particular concrete and steel. During this period, the people
amalgamated the traditional local materials and methods with the new materials and
methods without incorporating the learnings of either the past or the scientific rigour of
modern construction methods. This has resulted in a poor quality vulnerable housing
stock prone to destruction during any seismic event.
While building artisans have been leading the informal construction sector so far
particularly in rural areas, the role of engineers and architects continues to grow due to
rapid urbanisation and use of modern materials and technologies. The scope of
traditional artisans has been narrowing due to changes in the kind of buildings being
constructed also leads to many other issues with regards to sustenance of cultural
aesthetics, crafts and values. However, I would not discuss those issues within scope of
the proposed project. The key point for discussion with increasing space for engineers
and architects in building construction scenario is that it is critical to ensure they are
well trained for constructing earthquake safe buildings.
Education is one of the most critical means that can effectively reduce risk of damage in
earthquakes in a developing country context where large population continues to live in
sub-standard unsafe houses. Present system of teaching in modern day engineering
and architecture colleges does not impart adequate knowledge on even basic
principles of earthquake safe construction. The educational resources, quality of
teaching staff and library are aspects which impact the quality of professionals that are
trained in these institutions.
Project Overview
I would like to propose to setup an online web based educational initiative with support
and mentorship from EERI that can bring high quality inputs to large number of
engineers in developing countries who do not have resources or access to such high
quality teaching. Imparting knowledge is a long lasting contribution that surely has an
impact in such complex vulnerable living conditions of the local communities. The
modern day web based information technology offers unprecedented opportunities. For
an example, if Einstein was alive, it could be possible to learn the theory of relativity
from him through online streaming of his lecture on the subject. What high quality
teaching could be accessible to a student even in remote location through this
technology. I propose to initiate an endeavour that can take knowledge of stalwarts of
earthquake engineering to students and practicing architects and engineers in
developing countries who do not have access to reach out to them physically.
Taking example of highly successful 'Khan Academy' - an online YouTube based portal
teaching school kids various subjects, I propose to set up a web portal that teaches
concepts and practice of earthquake safe engineering. I propose to do it close liaison
and coordination with World Housing Encyclopaedia of EERI.
Scope of the Project
Scope of the project is to design and set up a web portal which will have videos of
blackboard teaching on concepts of earthquake engineering by EERI members. During
the period of Housner fellowship, A web portal will be registered and hosted. Backend
software will be designed. Demo lectures will be developed and made available. This
will involve teaching session using digital board and voice over in the video. The web
portal would be linked as part of WHE website (with EERI and WHE committee
agreement)
Some of the possible name of web portal were as follows and would like to choose any
one or a completely different one from the feedback from EERI.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Centre of Learning for Earthquake Resilience (CLEaR)
Learning CuRVE (Centre for Reducing Vulnerability in Earthquakes)
Learning Network for Earthquake Resilience (LiNEaR)
Teaching Earthquake Risk Mitigation (TERM)
Partner Organizations
It is proposed that following institutional collaborations are firmed up. Two institutions Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and People in Centre Consulting
(PiC) can collaborate. As founder director of PiC, I have discussed it in the Board. In
addition, I suggest to collaborate and involve National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Gujarat State Disaster
Management Authority (GSDMA)and UNDP. These relationships are yet to be explored
and will be done after the idea is firmed up with EERI collaboration.
Deliverables
Development, registration, hosting and management of a web portal as an Online
Academy for Seismic Safety.
Mentor
Svetlana Brzev, Alpa Sheth, CVR Murty, Dominik Lang
Resources Needed
Possible Source of Support
Support for domain registration and setup
PiC
Backend software design
PiC
Web portal hosting and management
EERI and PiC
Some equipments for digitisation of lessons Part contribution from PiC
Developing a list of concepts to be taught WHE and EERI members
and content planning of teaching modules
Travel to resource persons for teaching
sessions
Teaching by resource persons
EERI members
Formatting and editing for the upload on
web site
PiC
Inclusion, linking and promotion of web
portal
EERI - WHE
Extent of Effort Involved and Time Duration
I hope to do this in a two year timeframe. Initial three months period will be to mobilize
other institutional support for the idea. Formal EERI support to this idea will greatly
contribute in building further collaboration and support particularly with NDMA, NIDM,
GSDMA, UNDP, etc. I suggest another six month time for development of web portal,
installation, etc. and during this period, content planning will also be undertaken with
inputs from WHE - EERI. A close working relationship with WHE committee will be
established to strengthen and buildup ideas and concepts to be included and finalise
overall format. Development of teaching modules and sessions will be taken up in
second year.
Needed support from the Management Committee
I would request inputs to strengthen this idea, help with planning, critical questions and
mobilisation of some financial support and linkage with EERI members for voluntary
teaching sessions.