Padang — The Research Center for Climate Change (RCCC), Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), has expressed its readiness to strengthen geospatial analysis of Disaster-Prone Zones (Zona Rawan Bencana/ZRB) in West Sumatra as part of efforts to enhance the quality of science- and data-based planning for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of hydrometeorological disasters.
This was conveyed by Dr. Nofi Yendri Sudiar, M.Si., Head of RCCC UNP, during an academic discussion with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in Padang City on Tuesday night, January 27, 2026. The discussion focused on strengthening disaster risk maps that serve as the basis for post-disaster development policy decisions, particularly in regions with high hydrometeorological vulnerability such as West Sumatra.
During the meeting, the Director of Disaster Risk Mapping and Evaluation at BNPB, Dr. Ir. Udrekh, S.E., M.Sc., explained that based on an agreement between BNPB and the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), the disaster risk map currently used in national planning is the InaRISK map at a scale of 1:50,000. This map functions as a baseline map, or Layer 1, providing an overall picture of disaster risk levels at the national and regional scales.
Furthermore, it was explained that within this policy framework, Disaster-Prone Zones (ZRB) are classified into four categories: high-risk, medium-risk, low-risk, and safe zones. This classification serves as a crucial reference for spatial planning, infrastructure development, and the formulation of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction policies.
However, Dr. Nofi Yendri Sudiar emphasized that the InaRISK map at a scale of 1:50,000 remains indicative in nature and is not yet fully adequate for operational needs at the local level.
“For determining specific locations for rehabilitation and reconstruction, settlement relocation, and the design of disaster-resilient infrastructure, Layer 2 is required—namely, ZRB maps with higher spatial resolution, so that the delineation of high, medium, low, and safe zones truly reflects actual field conditions,” he explained.
The development of Layer 2 requires a process of refinement and scientific verification through the integration of multiple geospatial data sources, including high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEM), high-resolution satellite imagery, historical hydrometeorological event data, watershed characteristics, geological and geomorphological conditions, as well as social and community vulnerability data.
In this context, higher education institutions play a strategic role in ensuring that the resulting ZRB maps possess strong scientific validity and can be accounted for as a sound basis for public policy. Therefore, the strengthening of ZRB analysis is carried out through a National Consortium of Universities in Indonesia, established to support disaster risk mapping and evaluation at the national level.
UNP is part of this university consortium, serving as a co-coordinator together with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), while Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) acts as the consortium coordinator. Through this role, UNP actively contributes to strengthening geospatial analysis, particularly for Sumatra and other regions highly vulnerable to hydrometeorological disasters.
“Universities do not merely function as data providers, but also as guardians of the scientific quality of disaster risk maps that will be used as the basis for development decision-making,” stated Dr. Nofi.
RCCC UNP views its involvement in this national consortium as part of an effort to strengthen the science–policy interface. With academic expertise in geospatial science, climate studies, and disaster management, universities are expected to ensure that high-resolution ZRB maps accurately represent actual risk conditions and remain adaptive to the dynamics of climate change.
In addition to improving the precision of rehabilitation and reconstruction programs, the strengthening of ZRB maps is also considered essential for reducing the potential for post-disaster spatial planning conflicts and for promoting safer and more sustainable regional development.
Through collaboration among BNPB, Bappenas, local governments, and the university consortium, RCCC UNP reaffirms its commitment to actively contributing to the development of geospatial analysis of Disaster-Prone Zones in West Sumatra as part of its academic contribution to national disaster risk reduction efforts.