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Link:

benfieldhrc.org/" target="_self">Benfield Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Hazard Research Centre

Prompted by the Sichuan earthquake on 12 May 2008, a delegation from the Science & Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy to the UK visited the Benfield Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Hazard Research Centre on 21 May 2008.

The delegation was led by Minister Counsellor Dr Wang Baoqing, and accompanied by Professor David Cope of the UK Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology. The delegation came to learn about hazard and disaster work at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, particularly that relating to earthquakes.

The visit was convened by Dr Stephen Edwards, who gave an overview of the Benfield Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Hazard Research Centre after Professor Moira Yip (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Pro-Provost for China, Hong Kong & Macao) had welcomed the delegation to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê.

Dr Tiziana Rossetto (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) then described research in earthquake engineering at the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Earthquake & People Interaction Centre (EPICENTRE). This was followed by Dr Cassidy Johnson (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Development Planning Unit), who stressed the importance of careful planning during post-earthquake reconstruction. The presentations were brought to a close by Visiting Professor Adrian Chandler of the Benfield Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Hazard Research Centre, who delivered a case study on the Sichuan earthquake. Lucy Stanbrough (Benfield Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Hazard Research Centre) presented the delegation with a compilation of maps and satellite images of earthquake-affected areas in Sichuan.

The visit culminated with a discussion of the application of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê expertise to assist with post-earthquake recovery in Sichuan, and better disaster preparedness and recovery in general. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê staff will now approach colleagues in several Chinese universities to explore opportunities for collaboration in three key areas: mapping and hazard zonation; post-disaster assessment and reconstruction; and education and training.

Image: Mr Pan Zeyong, Mr Tong Wei, Dr Cassidy Johnson, Dr Wang Baoqing, Dr Tiziana Rossetto, Professor Moira Yip, Dr Stephen Edwards, Ms Lucy Stanbrough, Professor David Cope and Ms Yingtong Xi