Geographies of Disaster Risk Reduction Practices

Climate Disasters, Coastal Socio-Ecological Challenges and Participatory GIS

Kousik Das Malakar
Emerald
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Hardback
9781836620150
14 December 2026
£90.00
Available to order on 14 November 2026
eBook (PDF)
9781836620143
14 December 2026
£90.00
Available to order on 14 November 2026
eBook (ePub)
9781836620167
14 December 2026
£90.00
Available to order on 14 November 2026

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  • Description
  • Contents
  • About

Coastal regions are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, including sea-level rise, cyclones, flooding, coastal erosion, and unsustainable development. These interconnected challenges threaten both ecosystems and livelihoods, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction. This book examines the evolving socio-ecological dimensions of climate-related disasters in coastal environments and explores the potential of participatory Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity.

Organised into three parts, the book first introduces key concepts, theories, and approaches related to climate disasters, geographies of coastal socio-ecological systems, and vulnerability assessment. The second part investigates contemporary challenges facing coastal communities and critically examines nature-based, community-centered, and participatory approaches to disaster risk reduction. Particular attention is given to the integration of local and Indigenous knowledge within participatory GIS frameworks for more effective and equitable decision-making. The final part presents empirical insights through field narratives and case studies that address climate adaptation, community resilience, sea-level rise, coastal flooding, migration, climate variability, Indigenous technical knowledge, sustainable management practices, and others.

Bridging theory, methodology, and practice, this volume advances understanding of coastal disaster risk reduction and offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, planners, students, and others engaged in climate resilience and sustainable coastal development.

Part - I. Fundamentals of Climate Disasters and Coastal Socio-Ecological Systems

  • Chapter 1. Introduction to Climate Disasters and Coastal Socio-ecological Systems
  • Chapter 2. Geographies of Coastal Risk and Vulnerability: Mapping and Analysis
  • Part - II. Understanding Contemporary Coastal Socio-Ecological Challenges and Participatory GIS
  • Chapter 3. Coastal Socio-ecological Challenges and Nature-based Disaster Risk Reduction Practices
  • Chapter 4. Coastal Socio-ecological Challenges and Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction Practices
  • Chapter 5. Geographies and Socio-spatial ecologies of DRR Practices: A Journey into Participatory GIS
  • Chapter 6. Local Knowledge, Indigenous Technical Knowledge and Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Part - III. Participatory GIS in Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction: Field Narratives and Case Studies
  • Chapter 7. Coastal Community Perspectives in Disaster Risk Reduction Practices: Field Narratives from the Coastal Sundarbans
  • Chapter 8. Spatio-temporal Mapping of Climate Variability and Community Perceptions: A GIS and PGIS-based Study in Coastal Bengal, India
  • Chapter 9. Examining the Impact of Climate Disasters on Sundarban Biosphere Reserve: Insights from Local Communities for Reaffirmation
  • Chapter 10. Assessing Disaster Risk Resilience: A SWOT Analysis of Jaliya Kaibartta Society in Indo-Bangladesh Borderlands
  • Chapter 11. Assessing Socio-ecological Vulnerability to Climate Change in the Traditional Marine Fishing Community: A Case Study of the Coastal Region of Bengal, India
  • Chapter 12. Investigating Indigenous Technical Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study in Coastal Medinipur, India
  • Chapter 13. Enhancing Coastal Resilience: A Case Study on Nature-based Solutions and Community Management in Indo-Bangladesh Borderland Coast

Kousik Das Malakar is an Assistant Professor at GDC Memorial College, India, specializing in climate change and policy. He earned his Ph.D. from the Central University of Haryana and holds a Master’s degree in Geography from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His research interests include climate change, socio-ecological systems, sustainability, disaster studies, participatory policy planning, and geospatial technologies.