SEISMIC RISK REDUCTION

Stela PETRESCU

MDPWH PMU General Director

Ministry of Development, Public Works and Housing

ICAR FORUM, Bucharest, 1-2 October 2007

Content

Introduction

MDPWH strategy

HRMEP Project

National Program of Action

Conclusions

Introduction Earthquake impact

Earthquakes - among the most deadly and destructive of natural hazards, killing around 2 million people in the 20th century

Seismic activity in Romania is one of the most important in Europe

Bucharest is the highest exposed capital city of Europe to earthquake occurrences due to the Vrancea seismic fault

Introduction Seismic zoning of Romania’s territory

Introduction Significant Earthquakes in Romania

Since 1908: 14 earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater

4 March 1977 EQ

Significant loses:

- Human lives: 1578 fatalities

- Damages/collapsed buildings

- Economical: over US$2 Billion

MDPWH strategy

The effects of the 1977 EQ motivated an important development of seismic risk reduction measures:

– Strengthening of the existing vulnerable buildings– Improving the legal framework in seismic risk reduction

domain– Development of engineering studies and the revision of

several norms and regulations (including the harmonization with Euro codes)

– Permanent upgrading of the seismic monitoring system and increasing the number of stations and sensors

MDPWH strategy

Seismic strengthening of buildings– HRMEP Project - Technical cooperation project for

strengthening vulnerable public buildings (hospitals, universities, administrative buildings for central and local authorities, communication centers, emergency facilities)

– National Program of Action for reduction of seismic risk of multi-storied residential buildings ranked in I seismic class presenting public danger

Capacity building– HRMEP Project

Building Code ReviewProfessional training in cost-effective retrofitting methods

– National Program of ActionPublic Preparedness in case of EQ

MDPWH strategy

One of the most effective technique in seismic hazard prevention is the structural reinforcement of the vulnerable buildings to reduce the exposure to damages

By the nature of their use, hospitals, schools and important public building are considered as priority

Romania developed a structural rehabilitation project with IBRD funds and GoR co-financing

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project

Romania was the first country in ECA region requesting WB assistance in preparation of a multi-sectorial hazard risk mitigation project on an ex-ante basis

The overall objective of the project is to assist the Government of Romania in reducing the financial, social, environmental and economic vulnerability to natural disasters and water pollution accidents from mining activities

MDPWH is the responsible line ministry to implement the seismic risk reduction component

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project Component B - Earthquake Risk Reduction

Objective – to reduce the seismic vulnerability of high priority technical and social infrastructure

Strengthening of high priority public facilities- Design and supervision- Retrofitting of important public buildings

Capacity Building- Building Code Review- Professional Training in Cost-effective Retrofitting Methods- Energy Sector Risk Assessment

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project Component B - Earthquake Risk Reduction

No. HIGH PRIORITY PUBLIC FACILITIES

No. of facilities:

Total Phase I

1 EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RESPONSE FACILITIES 30 28

2 EMERGENCY HEALTH FACILITIES 22 19

3 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES 12 12

4 COMMUNICATION FACILITIES 14 -

5 ESSENTIAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS 6 6

TOTAL 84 65

Retrofitting the high priority public facilities

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project

84 buildings

60 phase I of implementation

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project

2

3

45

67

8

9

1016

13

12

11

1718

1920

2122

23

24

15

14

BUCHAREST CITYBUCHAREST CITYTotal 31 objectives Phase I: 29 objectives

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project

At present 60 buildings are subject of works and designing activities

A supplementary list of new facilities is under preparation in order to replace some facilities that were withdrawn

Current status - retrofitting

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project

Retrofitting works:

16 on-going retrofitting works:

- 3 emergency and disaster response facilities (county administrative offices - town halls)

- 7 healthcare facilities (emergency hospitals)

- 5 educational facilities (universities)

- 1 essential public building

Hazard Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project

Current status – capacity building Building Code Review

The process is ongoing ensuring:- A comprehensive review of the Building Code for the

existing buildings P100-3 focusing on applicable EQ design requirements

- Development of a new chapter to introduce innovative retrofitting techniques in the Romanian engineering practice

Professional training in cost-effective retrofitting methods– This process will be integrated with the Building Code

Review as a related component to support up to date EQ engineering concepts to Romania

National Program of Action

National Program of Action regarding the reduction of seismic risk to multistoried residential buildings, ranked in I seismic risk class, which represents a public danger

Starting 2001

National Program of Action

Liability of the owners

Exceptionally financial facilities established by the Law No. 460/2001:

– Providing the funds by transfer from the budget of MDPWH for financing the expenses of the owners in covering the value of technical survey and design and execution of retrofitting works

– Repayment by the owners of the loan advanced from the state budget for the execution of the retrofitting works on equally monthly rates without any interest on a period lasting up to 25 years from the reception of the retrofitting works

– Exemption from the payment of the monthly rates for the owners having a medium monthly income per family member under the average monthly salary/economy

National Program of Action

The latest improvements of the legal framework consist in:– Mandatory notification of the owners by the Local Authorities– Elaboration in max. 2 years of the Technical Survey– Approval of the retrofitting intervention by the Mayor– Execution of the retrofitting works in max. 2 years after design

completion– Penalties for owners in case of not accomplishing with the

legislation and deadlines

National Program of Action

Current status

As a result of the National Program of Action promoted by the MDPWH, implemented through annual programs approved by The Romanian Government:

– the retrofitting works were finalized for 11 residential buildings– there are ongoing retrofitting works for 7 residential buildings– retrofitting design is under preparation for 31 buildings, contracts

for works will be soon tendered

Conclusions

Romania is vulnerable to seismic risk due to the geographical location

Reducing the seismic vulnerability of private and public buildings is a priority of MDPWH

The structural retrofitting of public facilities and residential buildings is a key component of the seismic risk reduction and intense measures have to be taken to finalize the structural retrofitting to safely protect all vulnerable buildings

Seismic risk reduction is more effective accompanied with risk transfer measures

SEISMIC RISK REDUCTION

Thank you!