Megacities and natural disasters: a comparative analysis* |
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Authors: | James K Mitchell |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854-8045, U.S.A |
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Abstract: | Natural disasters are a worsening problem in many of the world's largest cities. Since an increasing majority of the world's
population will soon live in cities, and mostly in large cities, the trend towards increasing urban hazard poses serious societal
challenges for the future. Beginning in the mid-1990s, the International Geographical Union's Study Group on the Disaster
Vulnerability of Megacities undertook a series of case studies of megacities that have been – and are – exposed to major natural
disasters. These include: Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney, Lima, Mexico City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, London and Dhaka. Case
studies focused on reviewing the historic record of major disasters in each city and on documenting recent changes in different
components of hazard including, risk, exposure, vulnerability and response. It was found that exposure and vulnerability are
the components of hazard that are changing fastest and with the gravest implications for urban populations. Because hazards
are only one part of the typical urban management agenda, hazards management in large cities should be pursued with careful
regard to the context of general urban policy manking and management. Sustainability has become a guiding principle of urban
management but the relationship between hazard and sustainability is little understood and little explored. The way lies open
for hazard researchers to develop alternative contextualized approaches to the analysis and resolution of urban hazard issues.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | urban hazard risk exposure vulnerability management sustainability |
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