Vulnerability assessment and seismic risk management using advanced methodologies are of major

importance for the reduction of seismic risk in urban areas. The development of an advanced and

integrated methodological tool for the efficient seismic risk management of complex lifeline and utility

systems is necessary for the establishment of efficient and effective mitigation schemes. To this end, a

modular methodology has been recently developed in Greece in the framework of national and EU

research projects for the vulnerability assessment and seismic risk management of lifelines, utilities and

infrastructures. The general description of the methodology is provided, along with several representative

example applications. Key factors of the methodology are the inventory, the typology, the fragility, the

specific characteristics and the importance (global value) of the elements at risk, the development of

seismic scenarios (seismic hazard) and the geotechnical characterization, with the detailed site response

analysis. Based on estimated losses and assigned priorities, restoration policies and mitigation strategies

could be defined. Furthermore, new developments and important aspects of the risk mitigation procedure

are further analyzed and commented on, while the ongoing research efforts in Europe are shortly

summarized. These new developments include mainly the systemic physical and socio-economic

vulnerability and risk analysis, the incorporation of decision-making processes in the seismic

rehabilitation studies and the use of real-time damage estimation for the reduction of potential impact on

urban societies on the basis of timely and correct actions after a disastrous earthquake. Finally, specific

guidelines are provided for the management and reduction of seismic risk of lifelines and infrastructures in

urban environments.

Type of paper: research