by
Avigail Gutman Amit
Design Management and Innovation track
Mentor —
Sarah Auslander
This project deals with preparing the Israeli population for earthquakes, with particular focus on human behavior as a key lifesaving factor. It is designed to develop a strategy for increasing public preparedness, based on the finding that most survivors either save themselves or are saved by people close to them. The study, which included a review of the literature and interviews, revealed lack of awareness of the likelihood of earthquakes in Israel, overwhelming emotions given the need to cope with a potential disaster, and misguided perceptions regarding the ability to prepare for earthquakes.
The proposed solution includes three elements:
The project’s expected impact is a significant improvement in the preparedness for an earthquake scenario, in the likelihood of survival, and reducing the potential for a mass disaster. Focusing on individual preparedness maximizes the potential of the human resource as a primary and effective line of defense.
Avigail is a service designer and social project manager, with extensive experience in project management in the non-profit and public sectors. Believes in the power of cross-sector collaborations and design thinking as tools for social change. Currently, Avigail heads the innovation team and leads strategic processes to improve municipal services in Ma'ale Adumim Municipality, as part of “HaZira”, a program for innovation in local government. Avigail holds a BA in education and geography from Ben-Gurion University, and an MA in nonprofit management from the Hebrew University. Focused on driving processes and reducing social gaps.