The Vulnerability of Cities: Natural Disasters and Social Resilience

TLDR

Disasters in cities can cause catastrophic effects far greater than in other environments, and recent catastrophes have prompted a fresh review of the disaster‑urbanization literature. The book seeks to identify the factors that determine city vulnerability and resilience, filling a gap by examining overlooked impacts, loss‑generating conditions, and why some households and communities withstand disasters better. It presents three detailed case studies of cities in the global South—Bridgetown, Barbados; Georgetown, Guyana; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic—illustrating how contrasting political and developmental contexts shape disaster outcomes. The authors demonstrate that strengthening local capacity through appropriate housing, preparedness, infrastructure, and livelihoods, coupled with strong partnerships among community groups, NGOs, governments, and the private sector, is crucial for improving civic resilience, and they outline best‑practice strategies for professionals, policymakers, and researchers.

Abstract

When disaster strikes in cities the effects can be catastrophic compared to other environments. But what factors actually determine the vulnerability or resilience of cities? The Vulnerability of Cities fills a vital gap in disaster studies by examining the too-often overlooked impact of disasters on cities, the conditions leading to high losses from urban disasters and why some households and communities withstand disaster more effectively than others. Mark Pelling takes a fresh look at the literature on disasters and urbanization in light of recent catastrophes. He presents three detailed studies of cities in the global South, drawn from countries with contrasting political and developmental contexts: Bridgetown, Barbados - a liberal democracy; Georgetown, Guyana - a post socialist-state; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - an authoritarian state in democratic transition. This book demonstrates that strengthening local capacity - through appropriate housing, disaster-preparedness, infrastructure and livelihoods - is crucial to improving civic resilience to disasters. Equally important are strong partnerships between local community-based organizations, external non-governmental and governmental organizations, public and private sectors and between city and national government. The author highlights and discusses these best practices for handling urban disasters. With rapid urbanization across the globe, this book is a must-read for professionals, policy-makers, students and researchers in disaster management, urban development and planning, transport planning, architecture, social studies and earth sciences.