Definition of Multi-Risk Maps at Regional Level as Management Tool: Experience Gained by Civil Protection Authorities of Piemonte Region

A multi-risk approach should allow having a better understanding of the variety of risks over a territory. This raises though conceptual, methodological, operational issues: a multi-risk analysis cannot result from the simple aggregation of single risks maps. An objective multi-risk assessment raises difficulties due to the problems of comparing hazards, vulnerabilities and risks among them. The review of existing risk mapping practices in Europe shows that methodologies often provide simplified maps where the potential number of deaths or of economic losses has been chosen as common unit of comparison. This does not allow any qualitative assessment of multi-risks situations. Therefore, we think that a way to address the complexity of multi-risk situations is to replace the use of this concept within the decision-making process, integrating stakeholders' perceptions in the definition of multi-risk maps. A multi-risk approach should not be seen as a way to replace single risks approaches but as a way to improve the understanding of the complexity of risks over a territory. The example of the project carried out in the Region Piemonte allows illustrating these issues, and shows a possible way to address them. It helps also reflecting about the accuracy and limits of a multi-risk approach.JRC.G.7-Traceability and vulnerability assessmen