Discussion paper: developing a resilient built environment: Post-disaster reconstruction as a window of opportunity
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2013-11-14
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With growing population and infrastructures, the world’s exposure to hazards – of both natural and
man-made origin – is predictably increasing. This unfortunate reality will inevitably require frequent
reconstruction of communities, both physically and socially. At the same time, it will be vital that any
attempt to reconstruct after a disaster actively considers how to protect people and their environment
to ensure those communities are less vulnerable in the future. In summary, it requires reconstruction
of a more resilient built environment. This discussion paper considers what is meant by a resilient
built environment, why it is needed, why post-disaster reconstruction presents a window of
opportunity, and how reconstruction of the built environment can contribute to broader societal
resilience.
For the remainder of this discussion paper and in common with The Centre for Research on the
Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), which maintains the International Disasters Database (EM-DAT),
a disaster is a "situation or event, which overwhelms local capacity, necessitating a request to national
or international level for external assistance; an unforeseen and often sudden event that causes great
damage, destruction and human suffering". For a disaster to be entered into the database at least one of
the following criteria must be fulfilled: 10 or more people reported killed; 100 people reported
affected; there is declaration of a state of emergency; or, a call for international assistance.