The UPV, on the committee of experts for the reconstruction after the Dana

This Monday, the committee of experts promoted by the Government of Spain for the reconstruction after the floods caused by the Dana on 29 October was constituted. The committee is formed by professors, lecturers, representatives of civil society, and social agents. Over the next six months, they will be working on a report with proposals for dealing with the reconstruction work following the damage caused by the Dana.

In total, the committee is made up of 33 people. Among them are four members of the Universitat Politècnica de València. They are Enrique Cabrera Rochera, Nuria Lloret Romero, José Sergio Palencia Jiménez and Salvador Lara Ortega

Enrique Cabrera Rochera, professor in the Hydraulic Engineering and Environment Department

Professor of Fluid Mechanics at the Universitat Politècnica de València, a professional in urban water management with over 25 years of experience, and a former senior vice president of the International Water Association.

‘My work on the committee aims to contribute to the search for more resilient hydraulic infrastructures and water services and modernise the integral water cycle. All this with one objective: that in case of possible emergencies, the impact on citizens is minimised and the recovery of basic water and sanitation services after the catastrophe is speeded up as much as possible,’ says Cabrera.

Nuria Lloret Romero, professor in the Audiovisual Communication, Documentation and History of Art Department of Electronic Administration

Nuria Lloret is a professor of Electronic Administration and deputy director of the Institute of Design and Manufacturing (IDF). She currently directs the Observatory on Artificial Intelligence and Diversity - promoted by INECO and the UPV - and is also president of the Federation of Technology Associations of the Valencian Community (FASE).

‘My contribution to this committee will focus on analysing what type of technology, especially artificial intelligence, can be applied to prevention, but also for the management of disasters and everything related to data trend forecasting to correct and act in any emergency’, explains Nuria Lloret.

José Sergio Palencia Jiménez, Lecturer in the Urban Planning Department

PhD in Civil Engineering and Specialist in Land Use Planning, Urban Planning, Natural Hazards and the Environment. At UPV, he combines his research with teaching in the field of land and urban planning - UPV.

José Sergio Palencia explains that his work on this committee will focus on ‘proposing a possible land use plan, or, where appropriate, guidelines for urban planning and land management. Always duly agreed upon with social agents and other professional groups, and with one purpose: to harmonise the life and activities of the municipalities affected by the dana with the risks that may exist in the area’.

Salvador Lara Ortega, senior lecturer in the Architectural Composition Department

PhD in Architecture and senior lecturer at the UPV, he has been an architect since 1979. He has worked in all fields, from management to teaching at the School of Architecture at the UPV and, above all, in the promotion of architecture. He currently presides over the Association of Architects of the Valencian Community.

'In my capacity as Dean of the Official College of Architects of the Valencian Community, I am, by law, a member of the Territorial Emergency Plan of the Valencian Community. I am part of the basic damage assessment unit, which, through the Valencian Building Institute, sends architects to report on damaged buildings and their structural condition. We have done around 4500 and will have around 4000 left in the coming months. Our work has been constant since 2 November, when the territorial plan was announced, and we are still working today', explains Salvador Lara.