Metadata-Based Analysis of Physical–Social–Civic Systems to Develop the Knowledge Base for Hurricane Shelter Planning

Abstract

Emergency shelters are essential to protect evacuees from any threats posed by a hurricane and provide them with basic needs and assistance until it is safe to return to their homes. In a posthurricane situation, existing critical infrastructure for emergency shelters is likely being challenged to its limits in response to growing evacuee needs. As such, the engagement of diverse infrastructure sectors across different system domains (i.e., spanning physical systems to civic and social systems) in planning is critical to adequately support the operation of shelters during posthurricane recovery. Despite the importance of these multidimensional systems, there is limited understanding in the current literature about the interplay of physical–social–civic systems in supporting the operation of emergency shelters in posthurricane situations. In order to address this gap, this study conducts an extensive literature review with a focus on the functions of critical interdependent infrastructure for hurricane shelter operations and develops a metadata-based knowledge base critical for integrated shelter planning. This study establishes critical knowledge for emergency preparedness, which includes (1) an understanding of the interdependent nature of multidimensional infrastructure systems as related to hurricane shelter operations, (2) identification of the capacity requirements to operate shelters during posthurricane recovery, and (3) integration of the aforementioned findings into the current practice of shelter planning. The developed knowledge is demonstrated through a real-world Hurricane Michael–focused case study of shelter operations in Bay County, Florida. Last, critical research needs and challenges are discussed, with planning recommendations.