The Vulnerability of Cities Natural Disasters and Social Resilience

About this book

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.

Contents

Introduction Global Trends and Disaster Local Action: Urban Governance and Disaster Liberal Democracy and the Decline of Civil Society: Bridgetown, Barbados Post-socialism and Barriers to Building a Civil Society: Georgetown, Guyana Patriarchal Regimes and Maintenance of a Constructive Civil Society: Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic The Politics of Disaster in the City Appendix I: Methodology Used in Case Studies Appendix II: A Guide to Further Reading Bibliography, Index

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Biography

Mark Pelling has worked as a lecturer in the University of Guyana and as a research fellow at the University of Liverpool where he is currently a lecturer in human geography