Measuring vulnerability to natural hazards : towards disaster resilient societies /

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Bibliographic Details
Imprint:Tokyo ; New York : United Nations University, c2006.
Description:xxvi, 524 p., [24] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 23 cm.
Language:English
Subject:
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/6264332
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors:Birkmann, Jörn.
ISBN:9280811355 (pbk.)
9789280811353 (pbk.)
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary:A seemingly non-stop series of disasters has shown that societies worldwide seem unprepared for the threats posed by natural hazards. The tragic impacts of these events drew short-term attention from policy makers, the media and the general public, but their response was too late to prevent serious harm. Societies need to measure their vulnerabilities in advance, and make adequate provisions. This publication presents a broad range of current approaches to measuring vulnerability and contains concrete experiences and examples from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe to illustrate the theoretical analyses.--Publisher's description.
Description
Summary:

A seemingly nonstop series of disasters has shown that societies worldwide seem unprepared for the threats posed by natural hazards. They include Hurricane Katrina, drought in Africa, flooding in China and Germany, earthquakes in Pakistan and India, a tsunami in Southeast Asia, and forest fires in Portugal, Australia, and North America. The tragic impacts of these events drew short-term attention from policymakers, the media, and the general public, but their response was too late to prevent serious harm. Societies need to measure their vulnerabilities in advance, and make adequate provisions. To do so, they have to understand the complex relationships between natural hazards and the related social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities. Recognizing and measuring vulnerabilities is the first and perhaps most important step towards disaster-resilient societies. Measuring Vulnerability to Natural Hazards presents a broad range of current approaches to measuring vulnerability and contains concrete experiences and examples from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe to illustrate the theoretical analyses. This is a unique compilation of state-of-the-art vulnerability assessment. It is a critical review that provides important conclusions for future research towards more disaster resilient communities.

Physical Description:xxvi, 524 p., [24] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 23 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9280811355
9789280811353