Books by Dr. Emlyn Hagen
Every year, Afghanistan’s violent floods make thousands homeless and kill scores of people. Addit... more Every year, Afghanistan’s violent floods make thousands homeless and kill scores of people. Additionally, these floods destroy houses, bridges, roads and other essential infrastructure. Until now, it was not known where these floods would occur; however by developing a new parsimonious inundation model, the Afghanistan Flood Hazard Map (AFG-FHM) has been created. The model does not rely on advanced algorithmic and data requirements often only available in the developed world; it can therefore be employed in other developing countries. In addition to relief operations, the AFG-FHM is supporting the planning for NATO/ISAF on strategic, operational and tactical levels. It can help the UN, Red Cross and NGOs to save millions of dollars in investment by locating safe construction and flood mitigation sites. This book describes the methodology employed to create the AFG-FHM, as it is a robust method to generate extreme inundation outlines. It further gives a comprehensive overview of the Afghanistan flood crisis and concludes with an overview of the flood analyses, such as landmine migration and roads with flood risk, which can be performed in developing countries.
Half of the world's population has never made or received a phone call and perhaps the same half ... more Half of the world's population has never made or received a phone call and perhaps the same half lives on less than $2 a day. If this is not just a statistical coincidence, is there causality between the lack of telecommunication and poverty? The digital divide is the discrepancy between Africa and other nations in the usage of ICT's, such as telephony and the internet. The goal of this book, is to highlight "which factors influence a nation's capacity to bridge the Digital Divide". It will give an elaborate introduction to the Digital Divide and the concepts Information Society and Information Revolution. And the book will answer the question why some African countries have more ICT's than others, even though they are not necessarily richer. The author, Emlyn Hagen, researches a range of cultural, economic, political and geographical factors by means of an econometrical analysis. The data spans all 54 independent African countries, over a 12-year period, and contains information about a wide array of factors such a GDP per capita, the amount of telephone lines, language, the level of freedom and foreign investments. The study reflects that foreign ICT investors will venture even into the poorest and difficult accessible nations if the political climate and regulatory climate allows it. This book will give social and economic scientists an introduction to the African telecom situation, and will provide telecom industry and policy decision makers with a better insight in solving the digital divide.
Papers by Dr. Emlyn Hagen
The recent flood disaster in Pakistan with the ensuing coordination chaos and lack of information... more The recent flood disaster in Pakistan with the ensuing coordination chaos and lack of information has highlighted the urgent need for flood maps in developing countries. Nationwide inundation maps of extreme flood events can help with infrastructure and mitigation planning, as well as provide essential insight for aid delivery during the crisis itself. The NATO C3 Agency (NC3A) and the National University of Singapore have successfully developed a simple method to create accurate flood maps for developing countries.
Most flood models are based on advanced algorithmic and multiple data requirements that are somet... more Most flood models are based on advanced algorithmic and multiple data requirements that are sometimes difficult to apply in developing countries. These feed-forward models cannot be applied to large areas and can lead to extreme over/under estimations in some developing countries due to extrapolation from inadequate datasets where each additional parameter adds further uncertainty. This study proposes to employ a parsimonious model that only relies on adequate available data reducing forward-uncertainty-propagation. A ‘‘reverse engineering’’ approach that relies on past inundation depths does provide a solution for flood hazard mapping where extracting the flood extent of extreme floods is the primary goal and where only inadequate hydrological input data are available. The feedback method was successfully deployed to create the nationwide Afghanistan Flood Hazard Map (AFG-FHM) at a scale of 1:100,000 using a high-resolution digital elevation model, sample measurements and Dartmouth Flood Observatory past flood data. This paper describes the parsimonious flood map model and general
methodology employed to create the AFG-FHM, as it is a robust method to generate extreme inundation outlines, which can be utilised in other developing nations as well.
Afghanistan is a nation prone to natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Yet the severe fl... more Afghanistan is a nation prone to natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Yet the severe floods of 2005 and 2006, which displaced thousands, highlighted how little was known about floods in the mountainous nation. At present no flood hazard maps exist pinpointing the location and extent of the inundated areas, nor are there data on occurrence and impact of floods. This paper explores the flooding crisis and its impact on Afghanistan; furthermore it analyses the causes of floods and some aspects of flood mitigation.
The urban air temperature is gradually rising in all cities in the world. One of the possible cau... more The urban air temperature is gradually rising in all cities in the world. One of the possible causes is the drastic reduction in the greenery area in cities. It means that land use planning becomes critical in determining the environment quality. This study tries to investigate and identify land use types which have the most influence to the increase of ambient temperature in Singapore. The main tools are remote sensing data and geographical information system (GIS) to obtain a macro view of Singapore and carry out comprehensive analysis at the same time. The data were analyzed by utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Both the qualitative and quantitative analysis results show that the land usage will influence urban temperature. In the daytime, the order of surface temperature in different land use types is industrial, commercial, airport, residential, and park respectively. However, during the night time, the order is commercial, residential, park, industrial, and airport. Therefore, with appropriate land use planning, the urban heat island (UHI) could be mitigated.
Talks by Dr. Emlyn Hagen
Most flood models are based on advanced algorithmic and data requirements which are generally onl... more Most flood models are based on advanced algorithmic and data requirements which are generally only available in the developed world. These feed-forward models cannot be applied on large areas and can lead to extreme over/under estimations in developing countries due to extrapolation of inadequate datasets where each additional parameter adds further uncertainty. The solution is to move away from models which require complete data sets for hydrologic and hydraulic modelling and focus on a parsimonious model that only relies on adequate available data reducing forward-uncertainty-propagation. A “reverse engineering” approach which relies on past inundation depths does provide a solution for flood hazard mapping where extracting the flood extent of extreme floods is the primary goal and where no adequate hydrological input data is available. The feedback method was successfully deployed to create the nationwide Afghanistan Flood Hazard Map (AFG-FHM) at a scale of 1:100 000 using a high resolution DEM and sample measurements and Dartmouth Flood Observatory past flood data. The map was independently validated by Prof. John F. Shroder, one of the leading experts on Afghanistan geography and geomorphology. This paper will describe the parsimonious flood map model and general methodology employed to create the AFG-FHM, as it is a robust method to generate extreme inundation outlines which can be utilised in other developing nations as well.
ACSP
The Afghanistan Country Stability Picture (ACSP) project is an initiative led by NATO’s Int... more ACSP
The Afghanistan Country Stability Picture (ACSP) project is an initiative led by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to develop and maintain a comprehensive geographic database of reconstruction and development activities across Afghanistan. ACSP holds information about different Afghan National Development Strategy sectors such as Education, Good Governance, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Private Sector Development, Security, and Social Protection. The data held in the ACSP comes from several sources: the Government of Afghanistan (GOA), Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT), and International, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). To provide efficient access to the ACSP data, NATO C3 Agency developed a web map service. The ACSP web site can be used to consult and query the ACSP database over the internet. NATO, NGOs and the GOA can use it for optimization and monitoring of reconstruction efforts.
Every year, Afghan's violent floods make thousands homeless and kill scores of people. Additional... more Every year, Afghan's violent floods make thousands homeless and kill scores of people. Additionally these floods destroy houses, bridges, roads and other essential infrastructure. Until present it was not known how to predict where these floods will occur or their extent.
Using the latest scientific methodology, NC3A has researched and created a flood hazard map of entire Afghanistan. The AFG-FHM will support planning on strategic, operational and tactical levels; additionally it will support the planning and preparing of relief operations. It has the potential to save millions of dollars investment in locating safe construction sites, and will support effective decision making of engineers on the ground. Distributing the flood map to the UN, Red Cross and NGOs, will result in more efficient relief operations, lessening the burden on ISAF resources. The AFG-FHM is expected to be the main nationwide flood map resource for the next decade.
Most existing flood models rely on very accurate input data, such as river cross-sections and river flow data based on weather and gauge station data. Furthermore these models can generally only be applied on a small area, with a small number of tributaries. Due to the limited availability of river gauge measurement data and climate data, the AFG-FHM needed a novel approach without compromising on accuracy.
AFG-FHM was created using a Gauckler-Manning-Strickler hydraulic model, calibrated using observed past-flood events. It utilised a high resolution DEM elevation model as main input data, and was validated against high resolution satellite and aerial imagery. Using this approach a flood depth and likelihood map was created, which is available in GRID format and vector format.
Afghanistan is a nation prone to natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Yet the severe fl... more Afghanistan is a nation prone to natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Yet the severe floods of 2005 and 2006, which displaced thousands, highlighted how little was known about floods in the mountainous nation. At present no flood hazard maps exist pinpointing the location and extent of the inundated areas, nor are there data on occurrence and impact of floods. This paper explores the flooding crisis and its impact on Afghanistan; furthermore it analyses the causes of floods and some aspects of flood mitigation.
Uploads
Books by Dr. Emlyn Hagen
Papers by Dr. Emlyn Hagen
methodology employed to create the AFG-FHM, as it is a robust method to generate extreme inundation outlines, which can be utilised in other developing nations as well.
Talks by Dr. Emlyn Hagen
The Afghanistan Country Stability Picture (ACSP) project is an initiative led by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to develop and maintain a comprehensive geographic database of reconstruction and development activities across Afghanistan. ACSP holds information about different Afghan National Development Strategy sectors such as Education, Good Governance, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Private Sector Development, Security, and Social Protection. The data held in the ACSP comes from several sources: the Government of Afghanistan (GOA), Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT), and International, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). To provide efficient access to the ACSP data, NATO C3 Agency developed a web map service. The ACSP web site can be used to consult and query the ACSP database over the internet. NATO, NGOs and the GOA can use it for optimization and monitoring of reconstruction efforts.
Using the latest scientific methodology, NC3A has researched and created a flood hazard map of entire Afghanistan. The AFG-FHM will support planning on strategic, operational and tactical levels; additionally it will support the planning and preparing of relief operations. It has the potential to save millions of dollars investment in locating safe construction sites, and will support effective decision making of engineers on the ground. Distributing the flood map to the UN, Red Cross and NGOs, will result in more efficient relief operations, lessening the burden on ISAF resources. The AFG-FHM is expected to be the main nationwide flood map resource for the next decade.
Most existing flood models rely on very accurate input data, such as river cross-sections and river flow data based on weather and gauge station data. Furthermore these models can generally only be applied on a small area, with a small number of tributaries. Due to the limited availability of river gauge measurement data and climate data, the AFG-FHM needed a novel approach without compromising on accuracy.
AFG-FHM was created using a Gauckler-Manning-Strickler hydraulic model, calibrated using observed past-flood events. It utilised a high resolution DEM elevation model as main input data, and was validated against high resolution satellite and aerial imagery. Using this approach a flood depth and likelihood map was created, which is available in GRID format and vector format.
methodology employed to create the AFG-FHM, as it is a robust method to generate extreme inundation outlines, which can be utilised in other developing nations as well.
The Afghanistan Country Stability Picture (ACSP) project is an initiative led by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to develop and maintain a comprehensive geographic database of reconstruction and development activities across Afghanistan. ACSP holds information about different Afghan National Development Strategy sectors such as Education, Good Governance, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Private Sector Development, Security, and Social Protection. The data held in the ACSP comes from several sources: the Government of Afghanistan (GOA), Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT), and International, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). To provide efficient access to the ACSP data, NATO C3 Agency developed a web map service. The ACSP web site can be used to consult and query the ACSP database over the internet. NATO, NGOs and the GOA can use it for optimization and monitoring of reconstruction efforts.
Using the latest scientific methodology, NC3A has researched and created a flood hazard map of entire Afghanistan. The AFG-FHM will support planning on strategic, operational and tactical levels; additionally it will support the planning and preparing of relief operations. It has the potential to save millions of dollars investment in locating safe construction sites, and will support effective decision making of engineers on the ground. Distributing the flood map to the UN, Red Cross and NGOs, will result in more efficient relief operations, lessening the burden on ISAF resources. The AFG-FHM is expected to be the main nationwide flood map resource for the next decade.
Most existing flood models rely on very accurate input data, such as river cross-sections and river flow data based on weather and gauge station data. Furthermore these models can generally only be applied on a small area, with a small number of tributaries. Due to the limited availability of river gauge measurement data and climate data, the AFG-FHM needed a novel approach without compromising on accuracy.
AFG-FHM was created using a Gauckler-Manning-Strickler hydraulic model, calibrated using observed past-flood events. It utilised a high resolution DEM elevation model as main input data, and was validated against high resolution satellite and aerial imagery. Using this approach a flood depth and likelihood map was created, which is available in GRID format and vector format.