- The Municipality of Chersonissos is advancing its dedicated research project with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), headed by prominent professor and seismologist Efthymios Lekkas.
- Current work focuses on rigorous technical mapping and analysis for seismic risk, geodynamic phenomena, flood hazards, and targeted mitigation strategies.
- Funded entirely through municipal revenues, the roadmap integrates topographical mapping, satellite imagery, and geospatial data to build a proactive defense against climate crises.
- Mayor Zacharias Doxastakis emphasized that the initiative provides local administration with the scientific tools needed to protect human life, public infrastructure, and the regional economy.
Building a Scientific Defense Against Natural Hazards
As climate volatility increases pressure across Mediterranean coastal and inland regions, local governance in Crete is leaning heavily into data-driven prevention. The Municipality of Chersonissos has reviewed the steady progress of its landmark research initiative, the “Roadmap for Reducing Disaster Risk from Natural Hazards in an Evolving Climate Crisis.”
The project, commissioned to the University of Athens under the scientific direction of Professor Efthymios Lekkas, is progressing on schedule. Municipal officials confirmed that the foundational mapping and baseline data processing phases are wrapping up.
Mapping Seismicity and Flood Risks
The technical scope currently underway targets three core pillars of regional vulnerability:
- Seismic and Geodynamic Assessment: Detailed evaluations of earthquake hazards and secondary land phenomena across the municipal territory.
- Flood Risk Modeling: Comprehensive hydrological and hydraulic analyses tracking potential flood paths and torrential water accumulation.
- Mitigation Frameworks: Translating risk assessments into actionable structural and civil protection proposals to minimize future damages.
To achieve this, the research team is processing high-resolution topographical maps, satellite imagery, cadastral records, and specialized geospatial datasets. These inputs form the backbone of the specialized risk maps that will guide local urban planning and civil protection responses.
“We are creating the scientific tools that will allow the Municipality of Chersonissos to plan more effectively for prevention and natural hazard management,” stated Mayor Zacharias Doxastakis. “We are investing in prevention, knowledge, and resilience to ensure our municipality is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.”
