Technological Integration in Urban Emergency Management: Challenges, Innovations, and Pathways to Resilient Systems

Ziming Wang

Authors

Ziming Wang School of Project Management, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Author

Keywords:

urban emergency management, technological integration, artificial intelligence, resilience

Abstract

As urbanization accelerates and crises become more complex, urban emergency management faces increasing challenges, necessitating improvements in key areas and the adoption of new technologies. This study systematically examines technological innovations and their applications in urban emergency management. The research identifies critical obstacles, including fragmented data integration, insufficient risk prediction accuracy, delayed emergency response, uneven adoption of AI-driven solutions, fragile communication networks, and interdepartmental coordination gaps. This study categorizes key technologies into three main areas: Data Collection, which includes IoT sensors, UAVs, and GIS for real-time monitoring; Data Processing, leveraging AI/ML models for predictive analytics and 5G for rapid communication; and Information Integration & Decision Support, utilizing smart city platforms for centralized coordination. The practical effectiveness of these technologies is exemplified by applications such as AI-enhanced flood prediction, GIS-based evacuation routing, and crowdsourced crisis mapping. The advantages of these technologies lie in their ability to improve accuracy in risk prediction, optimize evacuation routes, and harness collective intelligence for crisis management. However, their application gives rise to challenges including technological complexity, data overload, and resource disparities—underscoring the need for accessible AI tools, adaptive governance frameworks, and equitable technology deployment. By bridging technological potential with practical implementation strategies, this work provides actionable insights for building resilient, tech-driven emergency management systems tailored to evolving urban risks.

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