The Scholarship Without Borders Journal
Abstract
Background: In light of escalating environmental risks due to climate change, rigorous research in natural disaster mitigation is gaining significance. The United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address disaster mitigation broadly, calling attention to both natural and human-induced crises. Australia has the fourth highest score globally in Freeman & Hancock’s (2017) Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience-Building (DRRR) Index. This research explores the aspects of collaborative leadership and sustainable development pathways to understand what is working in Australian communities and to address multifaceted challenges surrounding the further improvement of community resilience in Australia.
Existing Literature: Many studies emphasize the importance of resilience in disaster management and the need for comprehensive frameworks that integrate both technical and social infrastructure. Existing research highlights the critical role of civil infrastructure and the necessity for proactive approaches to disaster risk reduction and resilience building (Freeman & Hancock, 2017; Khan et al., 2022; Marshall et al., 2023; Singh et al., 2019). Collaborative leadership has been extensively studied in various types of organizations, and it is likely transferable to group endeavors such as disaster management across agencies and local government (Kramer & Crespy, 2011; Pierce, 2022).
Purpose: Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this research provides a localized framework for disaster risk reduction and resilience building in Australian communities. By leveraging collaborative leadership, communities in partnership with regional and national governments and entities can enhance disaster prevention, mitigation processes, and community recovery, ultimately contributing to more sustainable development and healthier communities.
Methodology: An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach is utilized, combining quantitative data analysis from Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Australia with qualitative inquiry through forums and interviews. The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure's Envision framework guides the assessment of community systems and infrastructure.
Outcomes: This paper will recommend a framework based on principles of sustainability and collaborative leadership that coalesce in the Envision rating system, allowing local communities to manage disasters and increase disaster resilience more effectively. Aggregated data will be used to produce an index for scoring local communities based on the presence of collaborative leadership features, strength of infrastructure, and a sustainability rating using the five Envision categories – Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate & Resilience.
Future Implications: This project aims to contribute to the global discourse on disaster risk reduction and resilience building by offering a localized approach that can be adapted and implemented in other communities facing similar challenges worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Abuka, Chidimma A.
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"Collaborative Leadership in Disaster Mitigation Development in Australia,"
The Scholarship Without Borders Journal: Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.57229/2834-2267.1059
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/swbj/vol3/iss1/2
Included in
Australian Studies Commons, Environmental Design Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Other Education Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons