Exploring disaster risk reduction in the built environment

Material Information

Title:
Exploring disaster risk reduction in the built environment
Creator:
Malalgoda, C.
Amaratunga, D.
Pathirage, C.
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (DRR/FIU) ( summary contributor )
Publisher:
School of the Built Environment, University of Salford (SOBE)
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2010
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Disaster response and recovery ( lcshac )
Construction industry ( lcshac )
Risk management ( lcshac )
Genre:
non-fiction ( marcgt )

Notes

Summary:
In this publication the authors examine the impact of the construction industry and related disciplines on disaster risk reduction (DRR). It reviews the relevant literature to inform the reader on the current position of the construction-related fields in relation to risk reduction efforts, highlighting the industry’s several problem areas. Appropriate building design and construction is a critical component of risk mitigation. Risk reduction measures can be implemented at every stage of the building process, from design to maintenance. Therefore, the authors recommend that construction-related disciplines, such as architecture, engineering, and urban planning be integrated with disaster management initiatives. Appropriate land-use and the adherence to building codes can ensure that buildings are constructed with adequate mitigation measures such as sea walls and drainage systems. However, many measures are not implemented because DRR as a concept is not consistently understood across disciplines. The concept can be implemented on so many levels that its definitions are highly industry-specific. Thus, it is difficult to devise a standardized definition and set of procedures applicable to all construction-related fields. This problem is further complicated by the variation in risk types, probabilities, and vulnerability levels. These issues create a gap between mitigation concepts and their implementation. The authors recommend that the construction industry increase awareness amongst the various disciplines associated with it regarding the role each plays in the disaster mitigation process in order to facilitate the coordination and consistent implementation of DRR measures across disciplines. ( English )
Subject:
Disaster Risk Reduction ( English )
Citation/Reference:
Malalgoda, C., Amaratunga, D., Pathirage, C. (2010). Exploring disaster risk reduction in the built environment. School of the Built Environment, University of Salford, United Kingdom.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI13042448

dpSobek Membership

Aggregations:
Disaster Risk Reduction