Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery
Editorial Reviews Book Description Whenever a major earthquake strikes or a hurricane unleashes its fury, the devastating results fill our television screens and newspapers. Mary C. Comerio is interested in what happens in the weeks and months after such disasters, particularly in the recovery of damaged housing. Through case studies of six recent urban disastersHurricane Hugo in South Carolina, Hurricane Andrew in Florida, the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes in California, as well as earthquakes in Mexico City and Kobe, JapanComerio demonstrates that several fundamental factors have changed in contemporary urban disasters. The foremost change is in scale, and as more Americans move to the two coasts, future losses will continue to be formidable because of increased development in these high-hazard areas. Moreover, the visibility of disasters in the news media will assure that response efforts remain highly politicized. And finally, the federal government is now expected to be on the scene with personnel, programs, and financial assistance even as private insurance companies are withdrawing disaster coverage from homeowners in earthquake- and hurricane-prone regions. Demonstrating ways that existing recovery systems are inadequate, Comerio proposes a rethinking of what recovery means, a comprehensive revision of the government's role, and more equitable programs for construction financing. She offers new criteria for a housing recovery policy as well as real financial incentives for preparedness, for limiting damage before disasters occur, and for providing a climate where private insurance can work. Her careful analysis makes this book important reading for policymakers, property owners, and anyone involved in disaster mitigation. Card catalog description Mary C. Comerio provides detailed case studies of housing losses and rebuilding efforts in six recent urban disasters: Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina, Hurricane Andrew in Florida, the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes in California, and the recent major earthquakes in Mexico City and Kobe, Japan. Through these six case studies, Comerio demonstrates that a number of fundamental factors have changed in contemporary urban disasters. Considering the enormous economic risks posed by contemporary disasters in urban areas, Comerio develops a catastrophe index for assessing when a natural disaster causes a housing crisis. Further, she proposes a thorough revision of the government's role in disaster recovery, suggesting that policies should aim to create a better-functioning insurance system and provide incentives for mitigation of existing building hazards. Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery
Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery,Mary C. Comerio,University of California Press,0520207807,Architecture (Specific Aspects),Buildings,Disaster relief,Housing Policy,Natural Disasters,Natural disaster effects,Planning,Political Science,Politics - Current Events,Politics/International Relations,Public Affairs & Administration,Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.,United States
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