GSM-SEADPRI TECHNICAL TALK
Jointly organized by Geological Society of Malaysia (GSM) and Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Institute (SEADPRI-UKM)
Venue: Bilik Seminar SEADPRI-UKM, UKM Bangi | Date: 1 September 2010 (Wednesday) | Time: 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Speaker I: Dr. Brian Marker, IUGS, UK
Title: Hazard and Risk in Planning for Development in England
Speaker II: Dr. Martin Culshaw, IUGS, UK
Title: Urban Geology: a UK Perspective
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Hazard and Risk in Planning for Development in England
Abstract:
Planning policies in England are subject to sustainability appraisal. Major development applications require environmental impact assessment. Most proposals require site investigation. Hazards are material considerations in preparing policies and determining applications. Available Information includes: databases on various hazards; hazard/risk studies of specific sites; and strategic studies of selected areas. To prepare sound planning policies, planners need information on: the nature, extent and significance of hazards; risk implications of policy and development options; and the implications of change. Developers preparing planning applications require information on the site and its immediate context. But authorities often lack resources to collect and evaluate information. There is a need for better information and methods for dealing with risk.
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Urban Geology: a UK Perspective
Abstract:
Urban geology is that component of applied geology that deals with the interaction of people with the geological environment at a city scale.
The key to the success of geological investigation and research in urban areas is:
a. having an understanding of the needs of users (who, mostly, are not geologists),
b. providing information in a form that is relevant to these users, and
c. maintaining the information-base in the long term.
Urban geological issues in the UK, and how they were addressed, will be discussed using examples from Wigan (NW England), Bradford (Yorkshire) and Stoke-on-Trent (the Potteries), but particularly from Manchester, NE England and South Wales.
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Brief Biographical Information
Dr. Brian Marker obtained his PhD in geology from the University of London. He worked for over 30 years in UK Government Departments responsible for legislation, guidance and research on hazards and minerals planning. He is now an independent consultant. He has also aided the work of IUGS and IAEG Commissions and is currently the co-convenor of a new IUGS Working Group on Dust.
Dr. Martin Culshaw is an independent engineering geological researcher and consultant. He was Director of Environment and Hazards at the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Survey’s Chief Engineering Geologist. He is Visiting Honorary Professor in Engineering Geology at the University of Birmingham and an Honorary Research Associate at the BGS. He is a former Vice President of the Geological Society. He has published over 140 papers, books and articles and over 110 technical reports. He received the Engineering Group of the Geological Society’s Award for 1989, the Geological Society’s Glossop Medal in 2004 and the E B Burwell Jr Award from the Geological Society of America in 2006. In 2010 he will be awarded the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment’s Hans Cloos Medal.
