The Vulnerability of Cities : Natural Disasters and Social Resilience

Focusing on cities in the global South, this book examines the conditions that lead to high losses from urban disasters and the factors that enable some households and communities to withstand disaster more effectively.

Through a range of detailed studies, the book shows that strengthening local capacity - through appropriate housing, infrastructure and livelihoods - is crucial to improving resilience, and that effective community or municipal government is essential if cities are to cope with disasters successfully.The book aims to show what works and what doesn't when cities are faced with extreme conditions, and how this can be applied when dealing with other events and stresses.