A01=Mary C. Comerio
americans
Author_Mary C. Comerio
california
Category=AMK
Category=JBFF
Category=JBSD
Category=JHB
Category=JKSB
Category=JKSR
Category=JKSW
Category=JPQB
climate change
coasts
contemporary urban disasters
damaged housing
earthquake
eq_art-fashion-photography
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
florida
high hazard areas
highly politicized
hurricane
hurricane andrew
hurricane hugo
japan
kobe
loma prieta
mexico city
natural disasters
news media
northridge earthquakes
south carolina
unleashing fury
urban disasters
Product details
- ISBN 9780520207806
- Weight: 726g
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 08 Dec 1998
- Publisher: University of California Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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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 disasters--Hurricane 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, Japan--Comerio 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.
Mary C. Comerio is Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. She is an internationally recognized expert on postdisaster reconstruction issues.
