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Meta-synthesis is an approach to synthesize qualitative research results. Originally proposed in the medical field and in education, this approach helps to advance current knowledge by generating a new interpretive synthesis. Since current research practices and knowledge development in emergency management is excessively divergent, there has been a need for a synthesis of knowledge from practice and research. One of the main arguments of this study is that the need is met by this study of a meta-synthesis. In this research, I suggested that many research results dealing with the issue of how to improve the performance of emergency management can be integrated into strategies for network management in emergencies. I used the term strategies in a much more generalized way to capture the idea of managerial/behavioral skills, plans, and insights for emergency management. The meta-synthesis was conducted from a keyword search, surveys, and expert interviews, which identified representative studies in emergency response. The review process of the representative studies is captured in a two-by-two matrix (intervention point axis and planning-improvisation axis) as a way of presenting the meta-synthesis results. This study then, turned to an analysis of reports of the Hurricane Katrina response using the meta-synthesis results. Qualitative content analysis was used as a method for the analysis. Reports from the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate are the target documents of the analysis. While conducting the analysis, I argued that the attempt of interpreting the failures of Katrina response into the failures of network management strategies provides clearer understandings regarding what went wrong and what was lacking. Furthermore, I argued that the way of thinking attempted in the analysis is a constructive one in that it provides an instructive action agenda for future disasters by connecting lessons learned to the strategies for emergency management. / Ph. D.

This thesis brings forth the regional architecture of New Orleans, Louisiana, and applies it directly towards the reconstruction and reconstitution of the Lafitte Housing Project closed as a result of Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005. The half-mile long Lafitte Housing Project rests just outside the French Quarter in the Sixth Ward. This thesis proposes reopening the canal along Jefferson Davis Parkway and extending it into the French Quarter to the southern edge of Louis Armstrong Park. As many of the former apartments were damaged by flooding from Hurricane Katrina, some units will be demolished to make way for site changes. A problematic condition of the former public housing complex was the way that it stood within the site as a massive homogenous entity, far out of scale to the surrounding urban fabric. The solution to rebuilding the site is not to construct another massive housing community. Rather, this proposal would include restoring many of the existing units, providing a historic anchor to the new neighborhood, and allowing them to remain along with new construction. Earth removed from the canal will stay on the site and be used to construct a half-mile long mound, running most of the length of the projects. This mounded area will feature spaces for recreational activities, Marti Gras celebrations, relaxation, and it will allow bridged access to the second floors of the new buildings. More important than what the mound does, is what it is: a metaphor for rising up from the mud and water and towards an elevated way of living, for inhabitants of the new and old structures. The vehicle for the form and structure of the new dwelling units is the historic Foursquare house. A house that symbolizes aristocracy and well-being, these new units are a refinement of the two bedroom apartments in the existing public housing complex. In this proposal, both will coexist throughout the site. / Master of Architecture

There is a need to develop efficient multi-hazard performance based design (PBD) tools to analyze and optimize buildings at a preliminary stage of design. The first step was to develop a database and it is supported by five major contributions: 1) development of nomenclature of variables in PBD; 2) creation of mathematical model to fit data; 3) collection of data; 4) identification of gaps and methods for filling data in PBD; 5) screening of soil, foundation, structure, and envelope (SFSE) combinations.. A unified nomenclature was developed with the collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team to navigate through the PBD. A mathematical model for incremental dynamic analysis was developed to fit the existing data in the database in a manageable way. Three sets of data were collected to initialize the database: 1) responses of structures subjected to hazard; 2) fragility curves; 3) consequence functions. Fragility curves were critically analyzed to determine the source and the process of development of the curves, but structural analysis results and consequence functions were not critically analyzed due to lack of similarities between the data and background information respectively. Gaps in the data and the methods to fill them were identified to lay out the path for the completion of the database. A list of SFSE systems applicable to typical midrise office buildings was developed. Since the database did not have enough data to conduct PBD calculations, engineering judgement was used to screen SFSE combinations to identify the potential combinations for detailed analysis. Through these five contributions this thesis lays the foundation for the development of a database for multi- hazard PBD and identifies potential future work in this area. / Master of Science

With the increased push towards performance-based engineering (PBE) design, there is a need to understand and design more resilient building envelopes when subjected to natural hazards. Since architectural glass curtain walls (CW) have become a popular façade type, it is important to understand how these CW systems behave under extreme loading, including the relationship between damage states and loading conditions. This study subjects 3D computational models of glass CW systems to in- and out-of-plane loading simulations, which can represent the effects of earthquake or hurricane events. The analytical results obtained were used to support fragility curve development which could aid in multi-hazard PBE design of CWs. A 3D finite element (FE) model of a single panel CW unit was generated including explicit modeling of the CW components and component interactions such as aluminum-to-rubber constraints, rubber-to-glass and glass-to-frame contact interactions, and semi-rigid transom-mullion connections. In lieu of modeling the screws, an equivalent clamping load was applied with magnitude based on small-scale experimental test results corresponding to the required screw torque. This FE modeling approach was validated against both an in-plane racking displacement test and out-of-plane wind pressure test from the literature to show the model could capture in-plane and out-of-plane behavior effectively. Different configurations of a one story, multi-panel CW model were generated and subjected to in- and out-of-plane simulations to understand CW behavior at a scale that is hard to test experimentally. The structural damage states the FE model could analyze included: 1) initial glass-to-frame contact; 2) glass/frame breach; 3) initial glass cracking; 4) steel anchor yielding; and 5) aluminum mullion yielding. These were linked to other non-structural damage states related to the CW's moisture, air, and thermal performance. Analytical results were converted into demand parameters corresponding to damage states using an established derivation method within the FEMA P-58 seismic fragility guidelines. Fragility curves were then generated and compared to the single panel fragility curves derived experimentally within the FEMA P-58 study. The fragility curves within the seismic guidelines were determined to be more conservative since they are based on single panel CWs. These fragility curves do not consider: the effects of multiple glass panels with varying aspect ratios; the possible component interactions/responses that may affect the extent of damages; and the continuity of the CW framing members across multiple panels. Finally, a fragility dispersion study was completed to observe the effects of implementing the Derivation method or the Actual Demand Data method prescribed by FEMA P-58, which differ on how they account for different levels of uncertainty and dispersion in the fragility curves based on analytical results. It was concluded that an alternative fragility parameter derivation method should be implemented for fragility curves based on analytical models, since this may affect how conservative the analytically based fragility curves become at a certain probability of failure level. / Master of Science / Performance-based engineering (PBE) can allow engineers and building owners to design a building envelope for specific performance objectives and strength/serviceability levels, in addition to the minimum design loads expected. These envelope systems benefit from PBE as it improves their resiliency and performance during natural multi-hazard events (i.e. earthquakes and hurricanes). A useful PBE tool engineers may utilize to estimate the damages an envelope system may sustain during an event is the fragility curve. Fragility curves allow engineers to estimate the probability of reaching a damage state (i.e. glass cracking, or glass fallout) given a specified magnitude of an engineering demand parameter (i.e. an interstory drift ratio during an earthquake). These fragility curves are typically derived from the results of extensive experimental testing of the envelope system. However, computational simulations can also be utilized as they are a viable option in current fragility curve development frameworks. As it’s popularity amongst owners and architects was evident, the architectural glass curtain wall (CW) was the specific building envelope system studied herein. Glass CWs would benefit from implementing PBE as they are very susceptible to damages during earthquakes and hurricanes. Therefore, the goal of this computational research study was to develop fragility curves based on the analytical results obtained from the computational simulation of glass CW systems, which could aid in multi-hazard PBE design of CWs. As v opposed to utilizing limited, small experimental data sets, these simulations can help to improve the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in the data required for fragility curve development. To complete the numerical simulations, 3D finite element (FE) models of a glass CW system were generated and validated against experimental tests. 11 multi-panel CW system configurations were then modeled to analyze their effect on the glass CW’s performance during in-plane and out-of-plane loading simulations. These parametric configurations included changes to the: equivalent clamping load, glass thickness, and glass-to-frame clearance. Fragility curves were then generated and compared to the single panel CW fragility curves derived experimentally within the FEMA P-58 Seismic Fragility Curve Development study. The fragility curves within FEMA P-58 were determined to be more conservative since they are based on single panel CWs. These fragility curves do not consider: the effects of multiple glass panels with varying aspect ratios; the possible component interactions/responses that may affect the extent of damages; and the continuity of the CW framing members across multiple panels. Finally, a fragility dispersion study was completed to observe the effects of implementing different levels of uncertainty and dispersion in the fragility curves based on analytical results.

Understanding the effects of large-scale disturbances and associated management actions on imperiled species can increase conservation value of future management. Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally threatened and endangered, disturbance-dependent shorebirds, nesting on broad, sparsely vegetated beaches, sandbars, and lakeshores. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy storm surges cleared vegetation and opened old and new inlets through Fire Island and Westhampton Island, New York, creating plover habitat. Storm effects prompted an island-wide stabilization project, and certain sections of Fire Island were designed to create and/or improve plover habitat (hereafter, restoration areas) to mitigate possible habitat loss or degradation. Many plover populations range-wide appear to be habitat-limited, and we anticipated positive population growth following habitat creation. To help predict what might happen to the plover population following Hurricane Sandy, we evaluated the effects of habitat-creating events at several other locations in the range, evaluating the hypothesis that plover population sizes are habitat limited. We estimated the amount of habitat available before and after four significant storm and flooding events by classifying pre- and post-disturbance aerial imagery and evaluated the population changes that occurred after disturbance-related habitat alterations. Following these habitat creating events, nesting habitat increased 27%–950%, and, subsequently, these plover populations increased overall 72%–622% (increase of 8–217 pairs in 3 to 8 years after the disturbance, average 12–116% increase annually). The demographic changes likely were driven by some combination of productivity and immigration occurring simultaneously with regional increases. We then evaluated population and suitable habitat change on Fire Island and Westhampton Island following Hurricane Sandy. We developed an integrated population model to determine the primary contributors to population and assessed the effect of restoration areas on demographic processes during 2013–2018. We also recorded individual locations of adults and pre-fledge chicks to evaluate effects of post-Hurricane Sandy landscape features on resource selection of adults and chicks, and behavior and survival of plover broods. We evaluated whether breeding stage (pre-breeding, nesting, brooding, post-breeding), simple breeding stage (breeding, not-breeding), or instantaneous behavior class (parental, non-parental) best explained habitat selection during the 5-month plover breeding season. We also evaluated the effects of post-Hurricane Sandy landscape features on resource selection, behavior, and survival of plover broods during 2013–2019. We observed positive population growth in three of five years and overall growth through the study (λ ̅=1.12). Immigration and reproductive output were correlated with population growth (r = 0.93 and 0.74, respectively). Compared to the rest of the study area, restoration areas had higher chick survival but lower nest survival and breeding fidelity, and population growth (λ ̅=1.09) in restoration areas was similar. For adult plovers, behavior class best explained habitat selection. Compared to non-parental plovers, plovers engaged in parental behavior (incubating, brooding, and accompanying chicks, hereafter 'parental') selected areas closer to bay intertidal habitats and with more dry sand. Non-parental plovers avoided areas with more dry sand and did not select for or against bay intertidal habitats. Additionally, non-parental plovers avoided development more than parental plovers and avoided areas of lower elevation more than parental plovers. In each year, there was more suitable habitat for parental plovers than non-parental plovers. Plover broods selected for flatter sites with less vegetation but selected for sites closer to development as time since Hurricane Sandy increased. Chick foraging rates were highest in moist substrates and were negatively influenced by nesting plover density. Chick survival was negatively influenced by nesting plover density and was greater for earlier hatched broods. Further, chick survival was higher following an outbreak of sarcoptic mange in the local red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population. If human interventions were reduced or modified in such a way as to create, maintain, and improve habitat, plover populations likely would reach higher numbers, and the potential for achieving recovery goals would be increased. Future restoration areas projects could use Great Gun as a model, although design criteria could be improved to increase access to moist, flat, low energy foraging sites. Efforts to increase immigration of novel breeding adults into the system, primarily by habitat creation or maintenance, are likely to have the greatest local effect on population growth but may not improve regional population persistence if habitat creation is only local. Management to improve reproductive output is likely to have a positive effect on population growth if there is suitable habitat to support recruits and will improve regional population persistence by producing emigrants. When improving or creating plover habitat, managers should consider habitat needs both for plovers of all life stages. Habitat management should focus on maintaining vegetation-free sand and access to low-elevation foraging habitat. Allowing hurricanes such as Hurricane Sandy to alter the landscape naturally will create these landscape features. / Doctor of Philosophy / Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally threatened and endangered shorebirds that nest on sandy beaches, sandbars, and lakeshores. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy created substantial habitat on Fire Island and Westhampton Island, New York, which could have acted as plover habitat. However, concerns about mainland safety from future storms prompted an island-wide project, building dunes planted with beach grass, to improve ability of Fire Island to protect the mainland. However, planted dunes had the potential to negatively affect newly created habitat, and certain sections of Fire Island were designed to create plover nesting habitat. Because of the habitat creation, we predicted that the population would increase. To illustrate that habitat creating events lead to plover population increases, we used freely available aerial imagery and identified all areas of dry and moist sand in study areas. We then used local plover monitoring data to relate habitat change to plover population change, and found that for several hurricanes and floods in the piping plover range, habitat increases led to population increase. We then evaluated population change on Fire Island and Westhampton Island, and found that the population increased 90% following Hurricane Sandy, and the increase was primarily due to new immigrant adults, and local reproductive success. The created restoration areas had similar reproductive output and population growth to the rest of the study area. To determine the areas on Fire Island and Westhampton Island that were adequate habitat for piping plover adults, we compared habitat used by plovers to what was available on the island and determined that habitat use differed between adults exhibiting parental behaviors and adults exhibiting all other behaviors. Non-parental plovers avoided dry sand. Both parental and non-parental plovers avoided development and high elevation sites. Overall, more sand was suitable for parental plovers than non-parental plovers. Because reproductive output also was influential to the population increase on Fire Island, we evaluated effects of landscape features on plover chick habitat, foraging, and survival. Plover chicks avoided vegetation, and selected flatter areas, but selected sites closer to development as time since Hurricane Sandy increased. Chicks spent more time foraging in moist substrates, and less time foraging when there were more plovers nesting in a management unit. Chick survival also was lower when more plovers were nesting in a management unit and was greater for earlier hatched broods. Further, chick survival was higher following a sharp decline in the local red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population. Overall, Hurricane Sandy was a positive force for this local plover population and local efforts to allow hurricane storm surges to modify the island in the future will improve long-term population persistence. Efforts to increase immigration of novel adults into Fire Island and Westhampton Island, primarily by habitat creation or maintenance, are likely to have the greatest local effect on positive population growth. Improving reproductive output is likely to have a positive effect on local and regional population growth, particularly by maintaining a low red fox population, if there is suitable habitat to support recruits. When improving or creating plover habitat, managers should consider habitat needs for plovers across the whole breeding season rather than just nesting. Habitat management should focus on maintaining vegetation-free sand, and access to low-elevation, flat foraging habitat. Habitat creation also may increase habitat amount and therefore local population growth.

Recent hurricanes have made it clear that housing is the single greatest component of all losses in terms of economic value and buildings damaged. Housing damage resulting from floods has increased in the United States, despite local, state and federal encouragement to mitigate flood hazards and regulate development in flood-prone areas (Atreya, 2013). The two primary causes of these increased costs are: (1) a rise in the occurrence and strength of the extreme weather events, and (2) increased development and value of property in physically vulnerable areas. The overlap of the above two factors resulted in tremendous losses of property in Staten Island and other coastal communities along the Atlantic Coast. Hurricane Sandy was a reminder of how vulnerable such areas could be. After hurricane Sandy, damaged properties experienced higher than usual housing sales and changed property values. This research, seeks to improve the current state of knowledge about housing market following a major disaster through examining single-family housing sales and prices in Staten Island, New York. The housing price recovery rate was much slower for the properties that sustained damage, and the impacts lasted for at least four years after the storm. Researchers studying housing recovery have utilized a variety of indicators like financial characteristics, government policies, social parameters, damage, housing characteristics, etc. to capture the dimensions of recovery. In Sandy's case damage was the major influencing parameter, and it completely changed the housing dynamics of the affected coastal regions. Housing market, in terms of damage, restoration, and recovery, is a fundamental indicator of disaster resilience. Every community is different and so are the effects of disasters on residential markets. This study clearly highlights this point and underscores the importance of using contextual methods and data sets in conducting the research. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning / Recent hurricanes have made it clear that housing is the single greatest component of all losses in terms of economic value and buildings damaged. Housing damage resulting from floods has increased in the United States, despite local, state and federal encouragement to mitigate flood hazards and regulate development in flood-prone areas (Atreya, 2013). The two primary causes of these increased costs are: (1) a rise in the occurrence and strength of the extreme weather events, and (2) increased development and value of property in physically vulnerable areas. The overlap of the above two factors resulted in tremendous losses of property in Staten Island and other coastal communities along the Atlantic Coast. Hurricane Sandy was a reminder of how vulnerable such areas could be. After hurricane Sandy, damaged properties experienced higher than usual housing sales and changed property values. This research, seeks to improve the current state of knowledge about housing market following a major disaster through examining single-family housing sales and prices in Staten Island, New York. The housing price recovery rate was much slower for the properties that sustained damage, and the impacts lasted for at least four years after the storm. Researchers studying housing recovery have utilized a variety of indicators like financial characteristics, government policies, social parameters, damage, housing characteristics, etc. to capture the dimensions of recovery. In Sandy’s case damage was the major influencing parameter, and it completely changed the housing dynamics of the affected coastal regions. Housing market, in terms of damage, restoration, and recovery, is a fundamental indicator of disaster resilience. Every community is different and so are the effects of disasters on residential markets. This study clearly highlights this point and underscores the importance of using contextual methods and datasets in conducting the research.