Tha Tatabanya plan in Hungary

The Tatabánya Plan is the result of the integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches. The plan was prepared with the assistance of the Sociological Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The City of Tatabanya has been supporting the initiatives proposed by the Academy and, by using the support of civil society, the problems of environmental protection and specifically those associated with climate change risks were addressed. During the preparation of the Plan, extensive stakeholder consultations took place. All relevant municipal bodies were involved: the department of education within the Municipality of Tatabánya, the National Public Health Institute, schools (teachers and students), nursery homes, local hospitals, engineers, utility providers (electric company, industrial enterprises, the transport managing company, waste managing companies, etc.). Moreover, the heat and ultraviolet radiations (UV) warning system is based on close cooperation and participation of 22 different organizations, such as local police, local ambulance service, local civil defence, local fire department, local disaster recovery, hospitals, water utilities, and schools. The residents of Tatabanya formed three groups, each involved in promoting local sustainability. Among their many accomplishments, they have implemented a heat and UV alert program, organized teams to assist in the development of a local climate strategy, initiated a call for tenders to achieve more energy efficient housing, established emissions reduction targets, and implemented educational and information programmes (the city has an annual budget for its housing program, which includes energy saving). The three groups and their goals are as follows: The focus of the Inhabitants Group is to develop a new vision for the future of the city: they serve in a representative capacity in public decision making and through their efforts have helped to promote communication between residents and public officials by ensuring that local interests are known The second group is the Local Council of Pupils that is composed of student representatives who engage in a variety of tasks, including participating in local decision-making The third group is the Local Climate Group that is composed of individuals from all walks of life including students, pensioners, doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, scientists, public officials, heads of companies, and inhabitants.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Educational system, Open-mindedness, Attitudes toward environmental issues

Hazards: Natural hazards

Disaster Phases: Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: National research bodies, Local authorities, Non-active citizens, Healthcare and emergency services, National civil protection body

Recommendations:

• Improve disaster management processes through better networking and cooperation between public and private actors and a better understanding of the role which each of these actors plays in the different disaster management stages