How can we plan and design stronger communities? From New Orleans to Galveston to the Jersey Shore, communities struck by natural disasters struggle to recover long after the first responders have left. Globally, the average annual number of natural disasters has more than doubled since 1980. These catastrophes are increasing in number as well as in magnitude, causing greater damage as we experience rising sea levels and other effects of climate change.
Communities can reduce their vulnerability to disaster by becoming more resilient'to not only bounce back more readily from disasters but to grow stronger, more socially cohesive, and more environmentally responsible. To be truly resilient, disaster preparation and response must consider all populations in the community. By bringing together natural hazards planning and community planning to consider vulnerabilities, more resilient and equitable communities are achievable.
In Planning for Community Resilience the authors describe an inclusive process for creating disaster-resilient communities. Based on their recovery work after Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas, they developed a process that relies on the Disaster Impacts Model. This handbook guides any community through the process of determining their level of hazard exposure, physical vulnerability, and social vulnerability with the goal of determining the best planning strategy.
Planning for Community Resilience will be invaluable to professionals working to protect their community from disturbance, including city planners, elected officials, floodplain managers, natural hazard managers, planning commissioners, local business leaders, and citizen organizers.
Part I. Introduction to Community Resilience
Chapter 1: The New Era of Catastrophes
Chapter 2: What is Resilience?
Chapter 3: Organizing and Connecting through the Disaster Phases
Part II: Knowing Your Community
Chapter 4: Assessing Hazard Exposure
Chapter 5: Assessing Physical Vulnerability
Chapter 6: Assessing Social Vulnerability
Part III: Planning Strategies
Chapter 7: An Assessment of Hazard Mitigation Plans
Chapter 8: Planner's Toolbox
Chapter 9: Striving for Consistency
Chapter 10: Conclusion
"Planning for Community Resilience: A Handbook for Reducing Disasters is a comprehensive book, which is quite an achievement in less than 200 pages. The book begins with a compelling explanation of the emerging threat, pulling no punches with the introductory chapter: 'The Era of Catastrophes.' It then outlines an overall approach to resilience preparedness, a seven-step process that forms the structure of the book… the authors have done an impressive job of assembling a great deal of material from different disciplines. It is rare to come across planners presenting a handbook that also talks about issues of power and participation, critical—but often overlooked—elements of community engagement and action."
