Impact Global Location: Saint Lucia

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MoSSaiC - reducing the risk of landslides in developing countries through the management of slope stability in communities

Summary of the impact

An engineering methodology, Management of Slope Stability in Communities (MoSSaiC), has been developed to mitigate urban landslide risk in developing countries, and has been implemented in the Eastern Caribbean. The World Bank is now including the methodology in disaster risk mitigation projects more widely in the Latin America and Caribbean regions, starting with Jamaica (September 2011-). MoSSaiC centres on the efficient management of surface water (construction of hillside drainage networks) and is delivered through a community-focussed programme with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.7:1. The impact includes:

  • Hillsides of unauthorised housing, previously exhibiting landslides during rainfall events that occur once every two years, have now been successfully stabilised and, in 2010, withstood a 1 in 500 year event.
  • ~800 homes in 12 vulnerable urban communities have benefitted from MoSSaiC interventions in three island states in the Caribbean.
  • Indirect benefits such as rainwater harvesting, reduced water bills and the saving of community relocation costs for Governments.

In 2011, the World Bank selected 13 methodologies for an `Aid Effectiveness Showcase' exhibition at its Washington DC headquarters. Due to its effectiveness, MoSSaiC was included as the only methodology relating to landslides.

Submitting Institution

University of Bristol

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences: Other Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Engineering: Environmental Engineering

Reducing landslide risk in urban areas in developing countries: Management of Slope Stability in Communities (MoSSaiC)

Summary of the impact

Management of Slope Stability in Communities (MoSSaiC) is a scientifically-based methodology developed at the University of Bristol to mitigate urban landslide risk in developing countries that has been adopted by the World Bank as part of its portfolio of disaster risk management tools. MoSSaiC centres on the efficient management of surface water and is distinct from other interventions in that it is delivered through a community-focussed programme that is rolled out in strategic incremental steps. MoSSaiC was first developed in 2004 and piloted in vulnerable urban communities in St Lucia. Since 2008 it has been implemented in additional communities in St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica (totalling ~800 homes in 12 communities).

A direct benefit of MoSSaiC is improved slope stability, evidenced by the absence of landslides in these communities despite the exceptional rainfall of Hurricane Tomas in 2010. Indirect benefits include rainwater harvesting and reduced water bills (one community saving an estimated EC$63,000), and savings to Government of community relocation costs. As a result MoSSaiC has led to governments and international development agencies taking a radically different and more effective approach to tackling landslide hazards in vulnerable urban communities.

Submitting Institution

University of Bristol

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Economics: Applied Economics

Strengthening international policy engagement with the educational priorities of small states

Summary of the impact

International engagement with the education policy priorities of small states has been significantly strengthened and reshaped since 2009 by research and subsequent activities undertaken by the Education in Small States Research Group at the University of Bristol. Small states have historically been marginalized from international policy debates and agendas. Their unique educational priorities have often not been reflected in international deliberations, goals and priorities for education. This research has significantly strengthened macro-level international policy engagement with the educational priorities of small states. This is evidenced by changes in policy priorities, strategic plans, funding streams, on-going interventions, new research initiatives, and government ministry support for small states provided by leading international agencies including the Commonwealth, UNESCO, The World Bank and national policy makers. The reach of impact is therefore evidenced across global, regional and national levels.

Submitting Institution

University of Bristol

Unit of Assessment

Education

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Sociology

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