Density and disasters
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Material Information

Title:
Density and disasters economics of urban hazard risk
Series Title:
Policy research working papers
Alternate title:
World Bank e-Library.
Creator:
Lall, Somik V
Deichmann, Uwe
World Bank.
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (DRR/FIU) ( summary contributor )
Place of Publication:
Washington, DC
Publisher:
World Bank
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2009
Language:
English
Physical Description:
eBook : Document : International government publication; 1 online resource (48 p.)

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Land use ( lcshac )
Natural hazards and disasters ( lcshac )
Natural disasters -- Economic aspects ( lcshac )
Risk management ( lcshac )
Hazard mitigation ( lcshac )
Urban development ( lcshac )
Genre:
non-fiction ( marcgt )

Notes

Summary:
This document provides an analysis of the relationship between hazard risks and particular urban variables such as property values, land-use, and investor behavior. These are considered in relation to urban risk mitigation requirements. The researchers examined the relationship between property values and disaster risk by matching properties using characteristics such as quality of construction, use of property, and distance from city center with particular levels of hazard risk. After classifying properties according to hazard risk, prices were compared with those of matched properties in adjacent hazard classes. An additional location-based analysis was conducted for earthquake risk. The 10 neighborhoods with the highest seismic risk were selected, and their property prices were compared with their distance from the hazard site. This analysis determined that earthquake risk negatively affects property values. The study also examined investor behavior by assessing the desirability of commercial space using variables such as construction wages, local incomes, and building material costs. Prices were found to increase as distance from the risk increased. Further analyses determined that those with property in high risk areas were more willing to invest in mitigation measures, as the property was of high value by virtue of its location in an economic center. However, it was found that poor residents are also willing to sacrifice environmental safety in return for increased proximity to economic centers. The resulting increase in population density exacerbates the risk for centers of economic activity. The analyses are followed by recommendations on risk mitigation funding sources and policy development. Policy makers often have difficulty funding risk management measures, especially in situations where tax increases are not a viable option. To that end, the researchers discuss the advantages and problems associated with municipal bonds and public land sales. They recommend that public policy provide a regulatory environment sensitive to urban hazard risks. Public policies must also be conducive to the emergence of market-based structures that, while respecting the goals of economic gain, also facilitate risk management practices. ( English )
Subject:
Disaster Risk Reduction ( English )
Scope and Content:
1. Introduction p. 2; 2. Why disaster risk management in cities is different p. 3; Disaster risk in cities is large and increasing p.3; Economies of scale and agglomeration change the way people and firms respond to natural hazard risk p. 9; 3. The valuation and distribution of disaster risk in cities p. 12; Spatial distribution of hazard risk p. 18; 4. Implications for public policy p. 23; Hazard management is a task both for the public sector and for private households and firms. p. 23; How public policy can encourage individual level risk mitigation p. 30; 5. Summary p. 41; References p. 45; Figures: Figure 1: Population in large cities exposed to cyclones increases from 310 to 680 million between 2000 and 2050 (World Bank 2009) p. 7; Figure 2: Population in large cities exposed to earthquakes increases from 370 to 870 million between 2000 and 2050 (World Bank 2009) p. 7; Figure 3: High economic densities around Tokyo and Osaka (GDP per sq. km) p. 9; Figure 4: Is population growth slower in "risky" cities? p. 11; Figure 5: Neighborhoods at highest risk from earthquakes: Bogotá p. 15; Figure 6: Bogotá -- poor people face higher risk from earthquakes p. 20; Figure 7: Bogotá – rich people sort in lower risk locations p. 20; Figure 8: Weak administrative capacity and increasing hazard risk in peri-urban areas: Case of Dakar p. 22; Tables: Table 1: Propensity score matching results p. 14; Table 2: Property prices are lower in locations with high earthquake risk: Bogotá p. 15; Table 3: Natural Hazards and City Demand p. 17; Table 4: Experiences of selected cities on Disaster Risk Management (Source: http://www.emi-megacities.org/megaknow) p. 26; Table 5: Typology of cities p. 42 ( English )
Citation/Reference:
Lall, S.V., Deichmann, U. (2009). Density and disasters: economics of urban disaster risk. The World Bank.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI13010990
778847121 ( oclc )

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Aggregations:
Disaster Risk Reduction