Hi Local Guides
Today I want to invite you on board, in my car, for traveling with me to explore Marche and Umbria (the, sadly, well known Earthquake areas in Central Italy).
1120 Km (696 miles) is what Google Maps show, during the preparation of our “4 days journey”. In four days we want to visit part of the area again, to meet friends, to help in updating the Map, to organize new activities, to have a Meet-Up, to explore some more parts of my country.
We want to see, we want to touch with our hands, in which step of the change we are now.
(For more info about the story, you can read: From the day when everything started - Maps of earthquake in central Italy)
Being Local Guides, our question is: what is it possible to do in this in this specific step of the emergency?
Besides, how can we help, through Google Maps, to manage the various steps of the emergency?
Answering to this question is not simple, because the answer is deeply related to the specificity of the territory, a territory that I want to invite you to visit with me today.
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The steps of emergencies
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Step zero – Earthquake - Emergency structures – First aid
The first phase can take months. Temporary structures are built in the area, for people to be helped. The territory in this phase is completely changed, a lot of areas are closed (we call it “red zone”). Temporary structures are built for first aid. It includes feeding people, giving a place to sleep, a temporary Emergency Room. People are disoriented and need reference points. Maps can help a lot, in providing updated information
Thanks to @LucioV for the two previous photos, taken during Local Guides Volunteer day 2016
- Step 1 – Delocalization – securing areas
A lot of people is moved out of the area, for giving time to the “emergency team” to secure the area. Roads will be temporary closed, with a deep impact in the circulation. Information about the temporary closure / opening of the roads need to be fast and efficient. A lot of people are using Google Maps to drive in there, they need to have accurate and “real time” information.
- Step 2 – Temporary (mid time) building
New towns and new shopping areas are growing in that moment (the actual one, in Central Italy). People are coming back in the area, an (apparently) normal life is restarting. Maps need to be completely redesigned, new roads and buildings need to be mapped. Also in this case a quick reaction is important, for returning to a “normal” life
- Step 3 – End of emergency
We are far away from this. The area is a part of Italian cultural heritage and the hope is to have all the historical buildings back to a new life. This will be another important moment for Local Guides, reopening activities, adding new information.
- Collateral damages
- Certification of safety
The most important part of the business activities, in a Cultural and Historical Heritage, are related to tourism. Having the tourists back in a short time is one of the most important target of the area, in which Local guides are giving an important help.
Missing information, related to the safety of the buildings, are driving the tourists out of the area. “is the place safe?” is one of the most common question we receive. Adding the “seismic safety certificate” in the business listing in Google Maps, would help a lot. Being Local Guides, we are inviting all the Businesses to join in Google Mybusiness, to be able to add extra information.
- Promotion of the areas
Where there is not too much to see, but for ruins, the role of Local guides is very important. With the support of Virtual Tours, we are promoting tourism. Thanks to the most active Local Guide of the area ( @manulele81 ), we can show to the tourists how the Historical buildings were (and will be again)
Meet-ups are continuously held in there, involving citizens and tourists, giving hope.
We are programming a new step soon, related to my #LocalGuidesCleanTheWorld project
“Mapping in emergency areas” is the subject that I would like to discuss, with the Local Guides Team, in San Francisco, in ConnectLive18.
New and old tools for an Efficient Role of Local Guides
I hope to have this opportunity
Ermes
