Research briefs

While cities around the world are facing increased exposure to weather-related risks and hazards, a new study found that most of the coastal communities in the U.S. do not have an overarching strategy for building urban disaster resilience and lack coordination between multiple urban systems, including land use activities, natural environments and public infrastructure investments, particularly in Texas.

In 2004, a tsunami devastated much of the Indonesian city of Banda Aceh. Research found that reconstruction in the coastal zone has unintentionally exacerbated this segregation: now many lower-income newcomers rent rebuilt houses that higher-income tsunami survivors do not wish to occupy.

A new report details the reconstruction of Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, following the 2010-11 earthquake series. The document examines the types of structural systems used during the reconstruction of the city, and some of the technical, sociological and political choices associated with those decisions.

According to a new report, the academic biomedical research community in the United States needs to improve its mitigation and recovery from the impacts of disasters. The consequences of recent disasters amount to annual costs of $27 billion. The report calls for mandatory implementation of disaster resilience education, and provides steps to help bolster resilience.

The US Geological Survey predicts that more than 2.5 million people will die from earthquakes this century. Landslides and other mass movements, such as rockfalls, are an important cause of earthquake fatalities. Research now shows deforestation may inadvertently increase rockfall hazard by removing the natural vegetative barrier that previously impeded boulder travel.

Recovering from a traumatic event for some can mean finding a new appreciation of life – for others it is a slow process fraught with negativity. 'Having more close emotional ties is generally related to better mental health and personal wellbeing several years after a disaster. Involvement in local community groups and organisations is also associated with more positive outcomes,' says Associate Professor Gibbs, from the Centre of Health Equity, one of the chief investigators on the Beyond Bushfires project..,

Homes were destroyed last month in bushfires near Lancefield, Victoria, lives have been lost as fires continue to sweep through southern Western Australia. Alongside the devastating loss of life and properties, many properties potentially in the path of bushfires are inadequately insured...

When it comes to victim compensation, Feldman and Fish write, 'transnational regulatory regimes for compensating victims of natural disasters are largely non-existent.' Individuals are usually not compensated for personal injuries or property losses. Many private insurance policies exclude types of disaster risk, and many individual underestimate the risk of natural disasters and tend to underinsure....

Research finds that climate adaptation programs that ignore the social and political context could be even worse than no adaptation at all… in fragile and vulnerable states facing the dual threat of climate change and insecurity, effective and well-targeted aid can play a key role in building resilience and shielding vulnerable households and communities from acute humanitarian crises...