Mainstreaming risk reduction in urban planning and housing: a challenge for international aid organisations

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Abstract

The effects of 'natural' disasters in cities can be worse than in other environments, with poor and marginalised urban communities in the developing world being most at risk. To avoid post-disaster destruction and the forced eviction of these communities, proactive and preventive urban planning, including housing, is required. This paper examines current perceptions and practices within international aid organisations regarding the existing and potential roles of urban planning as a tool for reducing disaster risk. It reveals that urban planning confronts many of the generic challenges to mainstreaming risk reduction in development planning. However, it faces additional barriers. The main reasons for the identified lack of integration of urban planning and risk reduction are, first, the marginal position of both fields within international aid organisations, and second, an incompatibility between the respective professional disciplines. To achieve better integration, a conceptual shift from conventional to non-traditional urban planning is proposed. This paper suggests related operative measures and initiatives to achieve this change.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-177
JournalDisasters
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Architecture

Free keywords

  • risk reduction
  • disaster
  • developing countries
  • prevention
  • housing
  • urban planning

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