Disaster Preparedness and Response Innovations: Implications for Urbanization and Health

As cities around the world are growing and accounting for a higher proportion of the global population, the impact of natural and man-made disasters on the urban landscape is becoming greater. Simultaneously, vulnerable populations are often concentrated into densely populated and geographically susceptible areas within cities, and climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of many forms of natural disasters. The need for comprehensive preparation for, and responses to, disasters in cities is increasing. This chapter explores innovations in each of the four phases of disaster preparedness: planning, mitigation, response, and recovery.