Citation

Hill H, Wiener J, Warner K. Disasters 2012; 36(2): 175-194.

Affiliation

Manager, Climate Decision Support and Adaptation Unit, National Agroclimate Information Service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada Research Associate, Environment and Society Program, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, United States Academic Officer, Head of Section, Institute for Environment and Human Security, United Nations University, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-7717.2011.01256.x

PMID

21995603

Abstract

This paper describes a method for reducing the economic risks associated with predictable natural hazards by enhancing the resilience of national infrastructure systems. The three-step generalised framework is described along with examples. Step one establishes economic baseline growth without the disaster impact. Step two characterises economic growth constrained by a disaster. Step three assesses the economy's resilience to the disaster event when it is buffered by alternative resiliency investments. The successful outcome of step three is a disaster-resistant core of infrastructure systems and social capacity more able to maintain the national economy and development post disaster. In addition, the paper considers ways to achieve this goal in data-limited environments. The method provides a methodology to address this challenge via the integration of physical and social data of different spatial scales into macroeconomic models. This supports the disaster risk reduction objectives of governments, donor agencies, and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.

Language: en