About the Organizations

INTRODUCTION

1STATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

3

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

5INVENTORY OF URBAN RISKREDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

13

WAY FORWARD

31

Kyoto University

INTRODUCTIONCONTENTSSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

Reducing Urban Risk
In Asia:
Status Report andInventory of Initiatives

IEDM Laboratory of Kyoto University Graduate School of Global Environment Studies targets
based project implementation in the field of environment and disaster risk management. Key
research areas are: climate change adaptation, urban risk reduction, environment and disastereducation. GCOE program of Kyoto University targets education and research excellence on
Human Security Engineering in Asian Megacities, with focus to city governance, infrastructure
management, health risk management and disaster risk management.

UNISDRThe United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UNISDR) is the
focal point within the UN system on disaster risk reduction, and promotes and advocates for

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

to reduce the gap between Knowledge and practice through pro-active field level, community

Kyoto University
Rajib Shaw
Yukiko Takeuchi

UNISDR
Yuki Matsuoka

SEEDS
Etsuko Tsunozaki
Anshu Sharma
Akitoshi ImaiContact Details“UNISDR Hyogo Office” in October 2007, in Kobe, Japan. One of its objectives is to work more

Rajib Shawin disaster risk reduction. UNISDR Hyogo Office aims at stimulating collaborative activities on

Associated Professor
International Environment and Disaster
Management Laboratory,
Graduate School of Global Environmental
Studies, KYOTO UNIVERSITY

The information and opinions
expressed in this publication arethat of the authors, and do notnecessarily reflect the policies of
the Kyoto University, nor UNISDR.

institutions working on disaster risk reduction, in particular North East Asia, including Japan.

RTF-URR
Asia Regional Task Force on Urban Risk Reduction was established in January 2008 to facilitate606-8501, JAPAN

interactions and collaboration among different stakeholders in the region as regional thematic

Tel/ Fax: 81-75-753-5708

initiative within ISDR system. The goal of the task force is to enhance decisive actions to reduce

E-mail: shaw@global.mbox.media.kyoto-u.ac.jp

risk and increase community resilience in the urban areas in the Asian region. The task force,

Web: http://www.iedm.ges.kyoto-u.ac.jp/

coordinated by UNISDR Hyogo Office, conducts policy advocacy, knowledge management, andpromotes synergy and cooperation of related initiatives.

Yuki Matsuoka
Programme Officer

Disclaimer

DRR to further implement the Hyogo Framework for Action, with and among Governments andYoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Design and Layout
Takayuki Moriyama

closely with various institutions based in Japan which have accumulated experience and expertise

UNISDR Hyogo office
Hitomirai-kan 5F, 1-5-2 Wakinohama
Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe city,
Hyogo 651-0073, JAPAN
Tel: 81-78-262-5550 / Fax: 81-78-262-5554
E-mail: matsuoka@un.org
Web: www.unisdr.org

SEEDS
SEEDS is a non-profit voluntary organization working to make vulnerable communities resilient todisasters. SEEDS adopts a multi hazard locally based approach seeking to empower communities
through awareness, training and education. Founded in 1994, by a group of students andpedagogues of the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, SEEDS comprises young
professionals drawn from various development related fields. It is governed and advised by aboard of eminent academicians and practitioners from international organizations.

WAY FORWARD

Team Members

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

commitment and resources to disaster risk reduction. UNISDR had opened its new officeExecutive Summary
The pace of urbanization in the developing world isBased on the initiative mapping exercise and analysis

led by Asia.

Urbanization is increasingly located inon urban risk issues in Asia, the Status Report

the developing countries: in 1970s, 50% of urban

and Inventory of Initiatives looks at the dimensions

residents lived in developing countries, whereas it isof urban risk with their causative factors andincreased to 66% in 1990s, and is projected to be

determinants, and at ways and means that have

80% by 2020.

emerged through pilot interventions on addressing
risk through innovative means such as community

The “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015:

led disaster risk reduction initiatives.

Building the Resilience of Nations and communities
to disasters” (HFA) was adopted at the WorldThe urban risk issue in Asia is being addressed byConference on Disaster Reduction (January 2005,

various institutions at different levels through regional

Kobe, Japan). The HFA specifies that disaster risk isprogrammes by regional entities, through national

compounded by increasing vulnerabilities related toprogrammes by country governments, and throughvarious elements including unplanned urbanization.

city-level and local level activities by community level

Across the HFA, important elements on urban

entities. The Asia region is uniquely positioned torisk reduction are mentioned as one of crucial

have a synergy of activities of UN, bilateral donors,

areas of work to implement the HFA. In particulargovernments, and specific activities by civil society

incorporating disaster risk reduction into urbanorganizations and academic institutions. Urban riskplanning is specified to reduce the underlying risk

reduction in Asia needs a balanced mix of policy

factors (Priority 4) .

implementation, regulatory measures and educationawareness programs through community based

Recognizing that there is a growing need toapproaches.

address the subject area of urban risk reduction
with concerted and coordinated efforts among

UNISDR is going to launch its next global DRR

stakeholders, in particular in Asia, the UNISDR Hyogo

campaign 2010-2011 focusing on urban risk

Office together with close partners took an initiative

reduction. The global campaign should aim at

to develop the Asia Regional Task Force on Urban

creating an enabling environment of risk reduction

Risk Reduction (RTF-URR) as a thematic group of

in urban areas and enhancing the resilience of

the ISDR system in Asia to facilitate and accelerate

people and communities. The RTF-URR is committed

efforts and actions for urban risk reduction.

to serve as the advocacy vehicle to advance theconcerted efforts to address the challenges in urban

To understand the current status and challenges inrisk reduction in Asia.

the area of urban risk reduction, RTF-URR took the
initiative to compile an inventory of initiatives relevantThis publication is produced as the concerted efforts

to urban risk reduction. The inventoried cases

under the Asia Regional Task Force on Urban Risk

have been categorized and analyzed on the lines

Reduction. Contribution from RTF-URR membersof the five priorities of the Hyogo Framework forand other partner organizations which shared their

Action; 1) Making disaster risk reduction a priority,

relevant initiatives are highly acknowledged.

2) Improving risk information and early warning, 3)
Using knowledge and education to building a cultureof safety and resilience, 4) Reducing the underlying
risk factors, and 5) Strengthening preparedness for
effective response.

Introduction

Context
In the year 1800 only two percent of the worldSlums and squatters can be seen sprawling the

population was urbanized.

drain-banks, river-beds, low-lying marshy lands, steep

By 1950, thirty percentof the world population had urbanized. In 2000 theslopes and other hazardous

figure had risen to forty seven percent. More thanhalf of the world population lives in urban areas

locations in Mumbai, Jakarta, Dhaka, Katmandu,

now, in 2008. Urbanization is increasingly located in

Manila, Bangkok and most other Asian cities.

the developing countries: in the 1970s fifty percent

numbers are only growing, and much faster than theof the world’s urban residents lived in developing

supply of livable spaces.

countries; the figure increased to sixty six percent inincreasing numbers and impacts of disasters, boththe 1990s, and is projected to be as high as eighty

in the form of shocks, i.e. rapid onset, high impact

percent by 2020.

events, and stresses, i.e. day-to-day small scale but

TheirThis trend manifests in thewidespread difficulties.
In the year 1950, New York City was the only city
By

Urban disasters vary considerably compared to their2015, it is expected that there will be 22 cities withrural counterparts. They are not only represented

populations over 10 million. Of these, 17 will be in

by one-off events like earthquake or cyclones

developing countries, 13 of them in the Asia-Pacific

but also get exaggerated due to high population

region1.

concentrations and hindrances in accessing basicwith a population of over 10 million persons.

Asia’s urbanization trend, its disaster events,

and numbers of people exposed to risk are allservices.

growing rapidly.

world is led by Asia, and so is the prevalence of

The pace of urbanization in the developing

urban risk.

1

1

A majority of Asia’s urban growth will

Most of the urban dwellers in Asia’s bustling cities

be in seven developing countries: Bangladesh, China,

live in sub-standard conditions.

The economic

India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnam2.

imperative drives them to live in areas earlier left

These will also inevitably emerge as hubs of urban

uninhabited as they were too unsafe to live in.

risk.

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

Recognizing that there is a growing need topolicy bodies, providing a platform for collective

address the subject of urban risk reduction (URR)

information and knowledge development and sharing,with concerted and coordinated efforts amongand facilitating interactions and cooperation among

stakeholders, in particular in the Asia region that is

related organizations and stakeholders.

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTIONISDR Asia Regional Task
Force on Urban Risk Reduction

urbanizing at a dramatic pace, the UNISDR Hyogo
Office together with close partners took an initiative

As part of its work, the RTF undertook the task ofto establish the Asia Regional Task Force on Urban

producing a regional status report on Urban Risk

Risk Reduction as a thematic group of the ISDRReduction in Asia, and an inventory of urban risk

system in Asia to facilitate and accelerate efforts

reduction practices from the Asian region.

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

and actions for urban risk reduction. The Asia
Regional Task Force (RTF) on Urban Risk Reduction
was established in a meeting in Kobe, Japan, in
January 2008. The RTF is represented by 16 3
member organizations and is expected to expand
further. The RTF aims at strengthening the linkagesof the community of urban planners, architects andengineers who are engaged in shaping the future ofurban growth to ensure that disaster risk reduction isincorporated in urban development planning as well
as future urban development trends are incorporated
in disaster risk reduction strategies. The goal of the
RTF is to enhance decisive actions to reduce risk
and increase community resilience in the urban areasof the Asian region, with specific objectives suchas acting as an advocacy vehicle to major urban

1 Urban Environmental Governance, for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific:
2 ADB Urban Report 2003
3 ADPC, ADRC, CITYNET, EMI, IRP Secretariat, JICA, Kobe University, Kyoto University, NSET, SEEDS, UNCRD, UNEP, UN-HABITAT,UNISDR, UNU and WHO

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

2

2

WAY FORWARD

a Regional Overview. UN-ESCAP. UN Publication: 2005

STATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA
To understand urban risk in Asia, and its impacts on the local environment, it may beappropriate to deconstruct the underlying factors making urban risk more critical than any
other related to the built environment. These factors may be analyzed under the following
heads (Surjan and Shaw, 20094 ) :Urban population
Urban setting and urban planning
Urban structures
Compact urban forms
Urban dependence on rural areas
Urban primacy

Urban informal settlements
Urban economic imbalances
Urban services
Urban environment
Urban management

The status report looks at the dimensions of urban risk, with their causative factors anddeterminants, and at ways and means that have emerged through pilot interventions on
addressing risk through innovative means such as community led disaster risk reduction (DRR)
initiatives.

Explosion of urban population in Asia

inundation of dense urban population, or the

At the world level, the 20th century saw an increase

cyclone are parts of serious simulation exercises.

from 220 million urbanites in 1900 to 2.84 billion in
2000. The present century will match this absoluteincrease in about four decades. Developing regions
as a whole will account for 93 per cent of thisgrowth, Asia and Africa for over 80 per cent.
Between 2000 and 2030, Asia’s urban population will
increase from 1.36 billion to 2.64 billion, Africa’s from
294 million to 742 million, and that of Latin America
and the Caribbean from 394 million to 609 million.
As a result of these shifts, developing countries will
have 80 per cent of the world’s urban population in
2030. By then, Africa and Asia will include almost
seven out of every ten urban inhabitants in thewiping out of a coastal city due to storm surge or
The indications from the region’s history of disasters
are a grim reminder of what could be in store.
The catastrophic flooding of Mumbai in 2005
took the city by surprise, both on account of theunprecedented amount of rainfall in record time, andthe lack of preparedness of the civic infrastructureand emergency systems to manage the disaster.
Cities are highly vulnerable to disasters induced bynatural hazards. Sudden supply shortages, heavy
environmental burdens or major catastrophes
can quickly lead to serious emergencies. The
consequences of such crises are multiplied by poorly

world .

coordinated administration and planning.

By 2050, Asia will host 63 per cent of the global

more frequent and more severe during the last5

urban population, or 3.3 billion people. In Asia, theurban transition will occur even earlier than Africa,
owing to rapid urban growth rates in China, acountry that is expected to be 70 per cent urban by
2050. Urban growth rates in India will be slower; by2050, 55 per cent of its population, or 900 million
people, will live in cities6.

Experience of Urban Disasters and theEmerging Risk in Asia
An earthquake striking a metro city, large scale

Disasters induced by natural hazards have become
two decades, affecting a number of large cities.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
reports that, between 1980 and 2000, 75 per centof the world’s total population lived in areas affectedby a disaster. In 1999, there were over 700 majordisasters, causing more than US$ 100 billion ineconomic losses and thousands of victims. Over90 per cent of losses in human life from disasters
around the world occurred in poor countries.
The impacts of Global Environmental Change (GEC),
particularly climate-related hazards, disproportionately

4 Surjan A. and Shaw R. (2009): Urban risk and disaster risk reduction. In: Disaster Management: Global challenges and local
solutions, Shaw R. and Krishnamurthy R. eds., University Press
5 (UNFPA 2007) pp7-8 (http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2007/presskit/pdf/sowp2007_eng.pdf)
6 (UNHABITAT 2008) p.1 (http://www.unhabitat.org/downloads/docs/presskitsowc2008/regional%20updates%20Asia.pdf)

3Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTION

and increased exposure to the risk of shocks andpoorly drained areas, or in low-lying coastal zones.

stresses.

Until recently, intensity and frequency patterns ofShocks, in this approach, are the low probability

natural hazards followed natural variations in global

but rapid onset and high impact events that causetemperatures and tectonic activity. Today, while theimmediate and visible damage to lives, property andscale of seismic and volcanic activity reflects theseenvironment.

long time-scale variations, it appears that frequency

tsunamis, flash floods, fires and accidents. Stresses,

and intensity of hydro-meteorological hazards ison the other hand, are slow onset and low impact

being affected by a changing climate.

processes that are of high probability, particularly in

Although it is very difficult to show scientific

the context of the urban poor, and case a day-to-evidence of these changes, projections for the future

day continuum of hardships.

invite concern, as shown by the findings of theof livelihood due to waterlogging and disease, smallIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

scale building damage due to rains, chronic illnesses

In some ways, societies are not only responsible forrelated to poor public health, social conflicts andtheir own socio-economic vulnerability, but also are

tensions within small communities, environmental

increasingly responsible for shaping new trends indegradation, pollution, and other such local small

These include earthquakes, cyclones,

Stresses include loss

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

7

STATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

slum and squatter settlements on steep hillsides, in

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

struggles for meeting basic needs, diminished assets,scale adverse conditions.

hazard occurrence .

Shocks and Stresses
Risks, particularly when viewed from a developmental
perspective, can be viewed the probability of shocks
and stresses affecting people, or in a more focused
way, households.

The Household Livelihoods Security

model has taken the approach of linking households,
livelihoods, access to resources, basic needs andbuilding of assets to the capacity of a household for
dealing with shocks and stresses .

The same model,

when viewed in the light of climate change, canbe interpreted in terms of shrinking resource base,stronger barriers in accessing resources, greater

7“Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiatives, 2004 version” (ISDR 2004), Chapter 2.2 Emerging trends inhazards, vulnerability patterns and the impact of disasters, p. 47
8Sanderson, D, Cities, Disasters and Livelihoods, in Environment and Urbanization, Vol 12, No 2, Oct 2000, P 93 – 102

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

4

WAY FORWARD

affect poor and vulnerable people—those who live inHFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION
The “Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations andcommunities to disasters” (HFA) was adopted at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction(January 2005, Kobe, Japan). The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) specifies that disaster risk
is compounded by increasing vulnerabilities related to various elements including unplanned
urbanization.
Five priorities of the HFA are; 1) Making disaster risk reduction a priority, 2) Improving risk
information and early warning, 3) Using knowledge and education to building a cultureof safety and resilience, 4) Reducing the underlying risk factors, and 5) Strengthening
preparedness for effective response.

(1) HFA Priority 1:
Making Disaster Risk Reduction a Priority
HFA Priority Action 1 focuses on ensuring thatbeen translated into a national disaster frameworkdisaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority

covering institutional mechanism, disaster prevention

with a strong institutional basis for implementation.

strategy, early warning systems, disaster mitigation
preparedness and response including human resource
development.

Policies and Techno-Legal Frameworkencompass activities designed to provide permanent

There are many practical ways to reduce the risk ofprotection from disasters; which will include

disasters. Ways to reduce climate related disasterengineering and other physical protective measures,risk include :and also legislative measures controlling land use

1. Careful assessment of areas where hazards andsocioeconomic vulnerability combine to produce thegreatest risks;
2. Public education to help people avoid areas ofrisk, protect their communities, and know what to dowhen disaster threatens;
3. Building codes tailored to local conditions toensure resistance to storms;
4. Good land use management and flood controls to
reduce the levels of flooding in settlements;
5. Early warning systems that provide all people withmeaningful information, and well-organized public
services with the mandate to reduce disaster risks.
Disaster risk reduction is critically important foradapting to changing climate as climate change will
increase frequency and intensity of climate related
hazards.

5

Disaster prevention is defined toand urban planning .
The goals of prevention are:(a) to ensure that all new buildings are designed
and constructed with proper engineering intervention
taking due care for safety against natural hazards
in urban as well as in rural areas so that no unsafe
buildings are added to the huge existing stock of
unsafe buildings;(b) to ensure upgrading the safety of buildings in
the public sector by retrofitting techniques andencourage similar action regarding buildings in theprivate sector and individually owned houses.
National standards/codes on disaster resistant
structures including the National Building Code of
the country are of highest standards in technicalcontents. However, to make their use mandatory,
proper enabling provisions are required in the legal
framework.

Urban management occupies an important place

Laws pertaining to planning, development andin the disaster management policy framework as

building construction are very important to achieve

the dense populations and the migrant poor andplanned and safe development in urban and rural

the under-privileged are highly affected on accountareas. Building standards/regulations are derivedof calamities/disasters. The techno-legal regime

from various laws pertaining to planning andof a nation has direct implications on the disasterdevelopment of different states. They provide themanagement framework.

mandatory techno-legal framework for regulating

In India, the approach has

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTION

Urban Risk Reduction within National and Local

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

Across the HFA, various important elements on urban risk reduction are mentioned as part of
crucial area of work to implement disaster risk reduction policies and actions. In particular,
incorporating disaster risk reduction into urban planning is specified to reduce the underlying
risk factors (Priority 4).

communities, more risks addressed).

of construction. While many Asian countries already• Enhance learning (more stakeholders, more cases,

have, or are in the process of developing acts,

more lessons).

policies, institutional frameworks and plans in the• Sustain the gains (more structural, more permanentarea of disaster management, many of these are

improvements).

still to get translated to real action and change• Recognize that strategic success lies in the handson the ground.

of people in communities.

Implementation needs to follow

institutionalization, and will finally determine the• Position CBDRM as a viable approach tosuccess of otherwise sound frameworks.

sustainable development.

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

building activity from planning, design to completion• Mobilize partner resources for disaster risk
Institutional Basis for Implementation

management

Institutionalizing community based disaster risk
management (CBDRM) is a multi-sector, multi-

While Asian countries show evidence of the initiationlevel and participatory process based on agreed

of DRR mainstreaming, it is so far restricted tovalues leading to permanence, regularization, andfew sectors, and limited extent.

sustainability through integration into the socio-

been on the international agenda in the form of

economic development processes .

DRR mainstreaming and Urban Risk Reduction

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

mainstreaming efforts.

Much of this has

The levels of mainstreaming

From the perspective of community groups andachieved so far, however, are short of desirable

organizations, ‘institutionalization’ is a state in whichlevels, particularly due to the inter-sectoral

their roles are recognized by the government, theircomplexities involved therein. Mainstreaming of urban

efforts are supported, and the roles and functions ofrisk reduction in a country involves ministries andvarious stakeholders are defined.

departments such as urban affairs, housing, water
resources, environment, transport, home/internal

In different organizational and cultural contexts theaffairs, power, communications, municipal governanceprocess is referred to by different names. Theseetc., making it a comprehensive and elaborate task

include: institutionalize, mainstream, scale-up,

to ensure inter-agency coordination. While DRR

normalize, legitimize, integrate, adopt, replicate or

mainstreaming in many of these related sectors issustain. Institutionalization of CBDRM is required to:sluggish, mainstreaming in the core urban planning•Achieve the vision of disaster-resilient communities.

and management sectors is lagging in particular.

•Scale-up the impact (more people, more
9

“Reducing risks of disaster posed by climate change” (ISDR 2007). United Nations Joint Press Kit for Bali Climate Change Conference

3-14 December 2007. (http://www.un.org/climatechange/pdfs/bali/isdr-bali07-20.pdf)
10

Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Division & Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council, Ministry of

Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India (bmtpc.org/pubs/unpriced_pub_contents/Building Techno-Legal Regime.pdf).
11

Building Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia (ADPC 2004) p. 9. (www.adpc.net/infores/kobe.pdf)

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

6

WAY FORWARD

INTRODUCTION

This section aims at analyzing crucial areas of work and identifying means to address them in
the area of urban risk reduction in the context of five priority areas in the Hyogo Framework for
Action.

(2) HFA Priority 2:
Improving Risk Information and
Early Warning
Assessment and Monitoring of Risks

Risk assessment encompasses the systematic use of

Risk assessments include detailed quantitative

available information to determine the likelihood ofand qualitative understanding of risk, its physical,

certain events occurring and the magnitude of theirsocial, economic and environmental factors andpossible consequences. As a process, it is generally

consequences. It is a necessary first step for any

agreed that it includes12 :serious consideration of disaster reduction strategies.
Its relevance for planning and development of• identifying the nature, location, intensity anddisaster risk reduction strategies was explicitly

probability of a threat;addressed during the United Nations International• determining the existence and degree ofDecade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR 1990-

vulnerabilities and exposure to those threats;1999). “In the year 2000, all countries, as part of• identifying the capacities and resources available

their plans to achieve sustainable development,

to address or manage threats; andshould have in place comprehensive national• determining acceptable levels of risk.

assessments of risks from natural hazards, with theseassessments taken into account in development

Key dimensions of hazard assessments are theplans.”

presentation of the results and assuring theunderstanding of the added value of hazard mappingThis was also outlined in Principle 1 of the 1994

and awareness by policy makers. Maps can be

Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer

prepared manually using standard cartographic

World. “Risk assessment is a required step fortechniques or electronically with GIS13.

the adoption of adequate and successful disasterother means, constitutes Risk Communication, which

reduction policies and measures”.

is an integral part of effective risk assessment.

This approach

This, andThis

was carried forward by HFA. HFA Priority Action

is particularly true for Asian countries wherein the

2 focuses on assessment of risks and talks ofimpact of disasters is felt most by the poor, who

identifying, assessing and monitoring risks.

are often impacted because of the fact that they

Assessment and understanding of urban risk in Asia
is still in early stages.

It is not a priority issue

for urban authorities yet, and does not figure on
the agendas of urban planning, management or
emergency response agencies.

There have beencases of academic research on this subject, but that
too is limited to in extent of coverage and depth ofcontent.

remain left out of many communication and warning
dissemination nets.

As a result, there are numerous

cases of disasters hitting communities hard because
the risk was not assessed or communicated at thecommunity level.
Early Warning
Effective early warning requires the below importantcomponents.

12 Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiatives, 2004 version (ISDR 2004), Chapter 2.3 Risk Assessment, p. 63(http://www.unisdr.org/eng/about_isdr/bd-lwr-2004-eng.htm)
13 Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiatives, 2004 version (ISDR 2004), Chapter 2.3 Risk Assessment, p. 66

7

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

capacities for all natural hazards16. The report on thethe patterns and trends in these factors? Risk

survey was finalized in September 2006. It concluded

assessment and mapping will help to set priorities

that while some warning systems were well advanced,

among early warning system needs and to guide

there were numerous gaps and shortcomings,

preparations for response and disaster prevention

especially in developing countries and in terms

activities. Risk assessment could be based onof effectively reaching and serving the needs ofhistoric experience and human, social, economic andthose at risk. The survey report recommended theenvironmental vulnerabilities14.

development of a globally comprehensive early• Warning Service: A sound scientific basis forwarning system, rooted in existing early warning

predicting potentially catastrophic events is required.

systems and capacities. It also proposed a set ofConstant monitoring of possible disaster precursors

specific actions towards building national people-

is necessary to generate accurate warnings on time.

centred early warning systems, filling in the main

Approaches that address many hazards and involve

gaps in global early warning capacities, strengthening

various monitoring agencies are most effective.

the scientific and data foundations for early warning• Communication and Dissemination: Clearand developing the institutional foundations for aunderstandable warnings must reach those at risk.

global early warning system. The present report,

For people to understand the warnings they must

submitted in response to resolution 61/198, outlines

contain clear, useful information that enables proper

the survey process and its conclusions and makes

responses. Regional, national and community levelrecommendations for follow-up actions by Member

communication channels must be identified inStates and the United Nations system.

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

and the vulnerabilities that are present. What are

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

the development of global early warning systemadvance and one authoritative voice established.
• Response Capability: It is essential thatcommunities

Despite the focus and understanding on the need forunderstand their risks; they must respect the warning

effective early warning formulation and dissemination,

service and should know how to react. Building up

this has remained one of the biggest challenges ina prepared community requires the participation ofAsia, leading to repeats of disasters that could haveformal and informal education sectors, addressing

been avoided through warning systems. Cyclone

the broader concept of risk and vulnerability15.

Nargis, that hit Myanmar in 2008, is one of the mostrecent examples of a well formulated forecast that

A global survey of early warning systems was

failed to reach the target community in time, andundertaken by the United Nations Secretary-General,

led to huge loss of lives and property.

pursuant to the request of the General Assemblyin its resolution 61/198, with a view to advancing

The Early Warning Conferences (EWC) at Potsdam in

14 Early Warning Systems in the context of Disaster Risk Management (UNU & ISDR 2006) (http://www.unisdr.org/ppew/inforesources/basic-documents.htm)
15 Early Warning Systems in the context of Disaster Risk Management (UNU & ISDR 2006) (http://www.unisdr.org/ppew/inforesources/basic-documents.htm)
16 “Global Survey of Early Warning Systems” (ISDR 2007) (http://www.unisdr.org/ppew/info-resources/basic-documents.htm)

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

8

WAY FORWARD• Risk Knowledge: Risks arise from both the hazards

(3)HFA Priority 3:

Using Knowledge and Education to
Building a Culture of Safety and Resilience
1998 and Bonn in 2003 highlighted the gap between

In line with HFA Priority 3, the application ofurban vulnerabilities and warning dissemination

knowledge and innovation for risk reduction in urban

systems in Asia.

context is a very important field.

As cities are growing, additional

It is, however, still

populations are settling in areas that were earlier

emerging as a comprehensive and viable subject, andleft unoccupied due to their high hazard exposure.

has to catch up with the ever-increasing demands

As a result, there is a proliferation of slums andimposed by rapid increase in urban risk dimensions

squatters along river-beds, drains, low-lying lands,

and magnitude that accompany growth trends andsteep slopes and busy traffic routes.

climate change.

As much as

A number of initiatives have beenfour fifths of the urban population in some cities istaken up in the Asian region over the past decade

living in sub-standard housing and poorly organisedon the creation and dissemination of risk knowledge.

and developed colonies.

Not only are they more

These pilots show the way forward for a knowledge-

prone to disasters, but their coverage in the earlybased approach to urban development, and thewarning net is particularly poor as they are outside

mainstreaming of risk reduction in the development

the formal outreach of warning systems due to theirprocesses. The relevance of participatory approaches

illegal or quasi-legal status.

in the planning, development, management andmonitoring of development and risk reduction

One of the cases covered by the Early Warning

processes in the urban sector is a critical factor that

Conference was of Delhi, where slums inside

emerges across the regional initiatives.

the Yamuna river-bed, on the wrong side of theindigenous knowledge in conjunction with appropriate

embankments, are exposed to frequent floods but

technologies offers viable options for risk reduction

get very inadequate and sketchy warnings despite

along with climate change adaptation.

an elaborate forecast formulation system at thecity, national and regional level.

While satellite

based forecasting, a national network of raingauge and river level monitoring system, and an
established flood control system are administeredby the government, the slums in the river bed are
not connected due to the missing ` l ast mile' ofcommunication.

The same phenomenon is observedin other cities in the region, including Dhaka,
Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

The use ofPriority emphasis must be given to education as
an essential part of disaster reduction strategies.
Education is a crucial means within local
communities around the world to communicate, tomotivate, and to engage, as much as it is to teach.
Awareness about risks and dangers needs to startin early education before abilities to address themcan become part of growing civic and professional
responsibilities as people mature. The various
dimensions of disaster risk within a community canbe addressed and continuously reinforced, passed
between generations, through formal educational
programmes and professional training.

17

Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiatives, 2004 version (ISDR 2004), Chapter 4.3 Education and Training,p. 236

9

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

STATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

INTRODUCTION

It is crucial to integrate disaster risk reduction in

professional skills are essential components of any

key sectors in urban development and planning, asrisk reduction strategy. An investment in humanvulnerability to natural hazards is increased in many

resources and increasing individual capabilities across

ways in the process of development. Sustainability

generations are likely to have more lasting value

and climate change adaptation is one of the key

than any specific investments made in technicalareas to which urban planners need to pay theirmeasures to reduce risks.

attention.

The following aspects of risk reduction education are
critical for such purposes17 :Sustainability Issues and Climate Change:
Climate change and its ramifications on urban• basic role of education and training;processes cover a wide spectrum. Climate-related• primary and secondary schooling;disasters are increasing in frequency and magnitude.

• disaster and risk management training centres;

Their consequences will depend on a number of• academic and educational programmes;

factors, including the resilience and vulnerability of• professional trades and skills training; andpeople and places.

DRR education is one area that has emerged as aleading area of recent action in Asia. There havebeen cases of school safety work, inclusion ofdisaster management in school curriculum, inclusionof specific relevant aspects of DRR in the curriculumof various streams of higher education, informal
education and IEC materials for public education
have emerged from various countries, and manyof these target urban audiences.

The Asian Urban

Disaster Mitigation Programme of Asia Disaster
Preparedness Center (ADPC), the Urban Earthquake
Vulnerability Reduction Programme of UNDP and
Government of India, the School Earthquake Safety
Programme of NSET Nepal, the School to Community
Safety Programme of SEEDS, public education
works of Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre,

Climate conditions have always shaped the built
environment. Since the 1950s, however, traditional
patterns adapted to local climatic conditions havebeen increasingly abandoned18. Globalization
and rapid technological developments tend topromote homogenized architectural and urban
design, regardless of natural conditions. With thiscookie-cutter architecture comes increased energy
consumption from the transportation of exogenous
materials and from the utilization of a single building
design in a variety of environments and climaticconditions without regard to its energy efficiency.
In some places, energy is too cheap to motivateenergy-efficient design; in other cases, developers
ignore the costs, since sale prices do not reflect the
future savings from higher energy efficiency.

community DRR programmes of Practical Action

Human health in urban areas may suffer as a resultand many other such programmes have proved theof climate change, especially in poor urban areas

viability of the approach and set benchmarks forwhose inhabitants are least able to adapt. They

countries to follow.

already suffer from a variety of problems associated18

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

• capacity-building.

“State of World Population 2007” (UNFPA 2007), Chapter 5 Cities and Climate Change(http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2007/english/chapter_5/climate_change.html)

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

10

WAY FORWARD

People’s understanding and the exercise of their

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION(4) HFA Priority 4:
Reducing the Underlying Risk Factors

(5) HFA Priority 5:
Strengthening Preparedness for
Effective Responsewith poverty and inequity. Climate change willPreparedness for response is a focus area underaggravate these. For example, poor areas that lack

Priority 5 of the HFA.

health and other services, combined with crowded

preparedness in Asia is an area that far lags

living conditions, poor water supply and inadequate

minimum standards.

sanitation, are ideal for spreading respiratory andcapacities of cities, both in the policing functions

intestinal conditions, and for breeding mosquitoes

as well as fire fighting and specialized emergency

and other vectors of tropical diseases such as

response are very low despite the high levels of risk

malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Changes inin these cities.

Urban emergency response
The emergency response

temperature and precipitation can spread disease
in previously unaffected areas and encourage it

In addition to the low overall emergency response

in areas already affected. Changes in climate andcapacity, the capacity of Asian cities to respondthe water cycle could affect water supply, water

to dynamic risks such as those of climate change

distribution and water quality in urban areas, with

impact, migration storms, and social stresses related

important consequences for water-borne diseases.

to rapid growth, are also very low.

This is largely

due to the fact that the knowledge base, general
The work on climate and sustainability related risks

awareness, and informed political will on thesein Asian cities is catching attention fast, but isissues are very low.

still in its nascent stages in terms of developmentof methodologies, application across the region,

A viable capacity in addition to high-end andand ownership of processes by governments.

The

technology based emergency management that has

Climate Disaster Resilience Initiative of Kyoto

emerged through pilot initiatives in the region is ofUniversity and partners is a leading effort in thiscommunity based emergency response preparedness.

regard.

The follow up of actions in response to

In a project on Urban Risk Reduction in India,

initial knowledge generation, however, is an area that

implemented by SEEDS in partnership with the Indian

will need tremendous political commitment, resource

Institute of Public Administration an Oxford Brookes

allocation and action in coming times.

University under the DFID Knowledge and Risk

19 Our experiments with community planning, SEEDS, 2007

11

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

from SEEDS, finally opted for a Community Fire Post,

squatter settlement in the Yamuna River Bed in Delhi,

with independent water and power supply. The firetaking into account citizens’ perceptions and expert

post was commissioned in October 2000.

. It comprised identification of inventories

of vulnerabilities and capacities of institutions,communities and infrastructure; key hazards, risks
and perceptions of risks by key actors, etc. Action
Planning Exercises were subsequently conductedwithin the community. The technique was to combine
the rapid development of action-oriented initiatives(in the form of a community action plan) withsustainable risk-reduction measures. The measuresthat were listed at the end of the workshop included
physical improvement, strengthening of community
structures and the identification of community led
environmental improvement initiatives. Utilizing action
planning ensured the involvement of all key actors
in decision making: community members, government
authorities and NGOs.

The Community Fire Post was a first of its kind in
the area.

Not only was it a community led initiativein terms of planning and establishment of the facility,
but it was also manned and maintained by a trained
community task force. The local residents had
pitched in for the construction work on the post, and

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

views

19

HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

programme, Risk Assessment was carried out in aheld responsibility for its proper maintenance anduse.

There was a distinct sense of ownership andpride, and they were keen to establish a network ofsuch fire posts to cover the entire settlement.
The settlement was later relocated out of theriverbed as part of the city’s redevelopment scheme,
and gained access to formal fire fighting services.
The planning to action skill sets and the spirit,
however, will remain with the community for long.

One of the major concerns that came out was offire risk in the settlement. Through the workshop
an action plan was prepared by the community
and a task force was set up for fire safety.

The

Action Plan involved building local fire fighting
capacity. A number of alternatives were explored,
fighting department. The task force, with support

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

12

WAY FORWARD

in collaboration with local authorities and the fire-INVENTORY OF URBAN RISKREDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

(1) Urban Risk Reduction Initiative
Compilation

reduction a priority, 2) Improving risk information

Inventory of initiatives on urban risk reduction inand 5) Strengthening preparedness for response. The

Asia was produced to review and understand trends
and demands, and identify gaps in the area of urban
risk reduction activities by various stakeholders.
The collection of the information from various

and early warning, 3) Building a culture of safety
and resilience, 4) Reducing the risks in key sectors,
analysis summary of the collected initiatives is asfollows:

stakeholders and its compilation aims at providing

HFA Priority 1. Making Disaster Risk Reduction a
Priority

analysis and input to this thematic reporting exercise.

In order for making disaster risk reducation apriority, this category includes the following types ofA questionnaire template was developed forthe purpose of collecting concise information,in consultation with the RTF. The template wasdesigned, and aimed to get basic informationconsistently across the various actors working
on urban risk reduction. Information compiled
through the template includes context, nature ofrisk addressed, mechanism, organizational systems,
indicators of success, challenges, lessons learnt
and human-interest stories. The template wasdisseminated mainly through the RTF and ISDR
partner networks. Then, submitted initiatives werecompiled and analyzed.

(2) Analysis on the Initiatives on Urban
Risk Reduction(1)

Engaging in multi-stakeholder dialogue toestablish the foundations for disaster risk reduction,(2) Creating or strengthening mechanisms for
systematic coordination for disaster risk reduction,(3)

Assessing and developing the institutional basis

for disaster risk reduction, and(4)

Prioritizing disaster risk reduction and allocating

appropriate resources.
This category can be described as the following
key terms: participation and mutual learning, clustercomposition, institutionalizing disaster reduction, andstrengthening capacity on disaster management anddisaster risk reduction.
As an example of a project for this category, aproject on participatory environment and disaster

Over forty responses were received from across the

management through and mutual learning can beregion. The inventory covers cases from many ofcited. Setting its core concept as ‘Water Environment’,

the vulnerable Asian countries, including Bangladesh,the project discusses the urban management from

China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal,

community perspective, and specifically focuses

Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Srion water related environment and disaster issues

Lanka, Tajikistan and Vietnam. It also includes overin Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Saijo (Japan), anda dozen cases that are multi-country in coverage.

Danang (Vietnam). Through participatory learning

It covers activities such as capacity development,

process of the local communities (by town watching,school and hospital safety and appropriate citycommunity workshops, questionnaire survey, focus

development planning as initiated by a multitude ofgroup discussion) and local governments, the projectstakeholders.

targets field-based actions as local level.

The inventoried cases have been categorized andanalyzed on the lines of the five priorities of the
Hyogo Framework for Action; 1) Making disaster risk

13

methodologies:

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA
HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

Good Practice “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Planning andManagement, Jordan by UNDP”

institutional weaknesses and human resource

signed a project agreement with the Government

needs, and develop programs to enhance local

of Jordan to reduce disaster risk in Amman

capacity and create a dynamic environment thatby establishing a disaster risk management

supports the implementation of sound disasterprocess that would ultimately equip the

management practices in Amman. The final phasemunicipality with a Disaster Risk Management

will center on supporting the implementation

Master Plan anchored in a sound institutionalof a framework to develop the city’s disasterframework. This five-phase process involves

risk management master plan, analyzing thethe communities and their governing bodies inresults of the disaster risk assessment and thendisaster mitigation by enhancing their knowledge

working with the city policy-makers to identifyof the risk and the options for mitigating thepriorities and establish a strategy for disaster

risk, strengthening institutional capabilities,risk reduction and a long-term implementationand developing a coalition of knowledgeableplan.

stakeholders whose collective contribution
results in a safer community and environment.
The first phase supports the implementation ofan effective disaster management practice at
the municipality level and involves consultation
with governmental and non-governmentalorganizations, and the establishment of
arrangements to support disaster management
at the national and local levels. The second
phase will assess current disaster management
practices in Jordan, and particularly how thesepractices address the threats to Amman. The
third phase will undertake an earthquake risk
analysis to develop an understanding of thepotential human and material losses in thecity and their implications on managing therisk to the city. The fourth phase will identify

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

14

WAY FORWARD

In 2006 the UNDP Country Office in Jordan

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

http://www.undp.org/cpr/we_do/disaster_global_urban.shtml

HFA Priority 2. Improving Risk Information and Early
Warning

Refering to the inventoried case studies, all of theThis category includes the following activity

warning system follow the steps (1) to (4) listed

components:

in this category. For the case of an early warning(1) Establishing an initiative for countrywide risk

system project in Shanghai, China, it starts fromassessments,

establishing a multi-agency response platform on(2) Reviewing the availability of risk-related

severe weather disaster; then it carries out hazard

information and the capacities for data collection

trend warning on weather and climate related disasterand use,through monitoring; it proceeds to establishment(3) Assessing capacities and strengthening earlyof a multi-agency sharing database on a unified

warning systems, andstandard, but distributed accesses; and in the end it(4) Developing communication and dissemination

establishes a multi-agency response mechanism andmechanisms for disaster risk information and earlyand conducts experiment on community safety.

cases related to improving risk information and early

warning.

Good Practice: Community Based Early Warning System and Evacuation: Planning,
Development and Testing – Protecting Peoples’ Lives and Properties from Flood
Risks in Dagupan City, Philippines(ADPC safer cities 20: http://www.adpc.net/v2007/programs/uDRM/PROMISE/INFORMATION%20
RESOURCES/Safer%20Cities/Downloads/SaferCities20.pdf)
This case study of Dagupan City illustrates the

Evacuation Plan to be a guide for the whole

significance of setting up and operationalizing

community to coordinate their efforts, and anan early warning system and evacuation plan

Early Warning System to ensure that there will

for flood to draw people together in pursuit

be enough time for preparedness. The communityof collective action towards building safe andwas expected to generate and agree upon theirresilient communities. Communities in Dagupan

warning signals, and have a focal person who will

City are no stranger to flooding, and for a longbe obliged to give warning signals to community

time have been resigned to the idea that it

people when flooding strikes. Finally, in the event

will reoccur, that there is not much that theyof an emergency, they should have a system thatcan do. However, after undergoing sessions on

promotes the effective and efficient use of theircommunity based disaster risk management

own resources, such as assigning locally available(CBDRM) and engaging in participatory risk

vehicles to evacuate specific groups of high-risk

assessment sessions of their neighborhoods,

households to known safe areas.

several eye-opening concerns emerged.
The community decided that they needed an

15

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA
HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

In Japan, there are a lot of small and medium

to be implemented in Saijo City. Mountainsized cities. As many young people are leaving

watching is a kid of town watching conductedfrom local cities to bigger urban cities, aging in
local cities affects disaster prevention. In case ofa disaster, young people’s help is essential.
Saijo city is located in the eastern part of
Ehime prefecture (509.04 square kilo meters,with a population of 116,059 (2006.10). At
the time of the typhoon no.21&23 in 2004,
mountainous area of Saijo City was especiallydamaged. In the mountainous area, there live
many elderly people and few young people.
So some elderly people had difficulty inevacuating and needed help of young people.
Low awareness of disaster prevention is also
a problem. Plain area is rather urban andthere are many young people. There is often
little relationship between mountainous area
and town. It is important for community towork together on disaster reduction. So, it
is necessary to make “disaster prevention
network” between the plain area and themountainous area, so as to help elderly people
in the mountainous area in case of a disaster.
As the driftwood stuck with bridge piercaused flood to the plain area, disaster in

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

Good Practice: “Community Based Participatory Disaster Education” in Saijo, Japanin the mountainous area. Main target is children,
and also residents in the mountain, teachers,municipal officials and forest workers are
involved. The working field is upper area of ariver along school. Participants watch the sitedamaged by the typhoon in 2004 and hear thestory from victims. They walk around the school
zone and search for dangerous places, usefulfacilities in case of disasters and favorite places.
Town watching or mountain watching involves
many stakeholders, such as pupils in elementary
schools and junior high schools, teachers, parents,
residents in mountains, forest worker, Citizens’
Safety Dept. and Education Board. So, it provides
a good opportunity to them to communicate
with each other. In case of a disaster, such
relationship is very important. Through town
watching, participants get interested in the local
area and also get knowledge about disasterprevention. But town/mountain watching should
not end up with only one time event. Througha series of continuous actions, it will become
better and develop disaster resilient area.
So, clear implementing body and guideline isnecessary for continuing town/mountain watching.

the mountainous area have bearings withto know each other about the circumstances.
Therefore, mountain watching is proposed

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

16

WAY FORWARD

that in the plain area. Both residents have

HFA Priority 3. Building a Culture of Safety and
Resilience

HFA Priority 4. Reducing the Risks in Key Sectors

The components for building a culture of safety andThis category includes activities such as:

resilience include the following activities:(1) Environment: Incorporating disaster risk reduction(1) Developing programmes to raise awareness ofin environmental and natural resources management,

disaster risk reduction,(2) Social needs: Establishing mechanisms for(2) Including disaster risk reduction in the education

increasing resilience of the poor and most

system and the research community’s work,

vulnerable,(3) Developing disaster risk reduction training for key(3) Physical planning: Establishing measures tosectors, andincorporate disaster risk reduction in urban and(4) Enhancing the compilation, dissemination and use

land-use planning,of disaster risk reduction information.

(4) Structures: Strengthening mechanisms for
improved building safety and protection of critical

This category can be represented by broad range

facilities,of activities, including human resource development,(5) Stimulating disaster risk reduction activities inschool safety, disaster learning programme

production and service sectors,

development, community-based disaster management,(6) Financial/economic instruments: Creating

elaboration of disaster scenarios, disaster risk

opportunities for private-sector involvement instudies, and hazard mapping.

disaster risk reduction, and(7) Disaster recovery: Developing a recovery planning

For example, there is a school safety project in India,

process that incorporates disaster risk reduction.

which aims at developing a culture of disaster safetyin schools with broad objectives of sensitization of

From the inventory cases, the ones which werestudents and teachers towards safety issues andintroduced as key sectors are the environment andmaking schools premises safe against impending

climate change issues, health, construction, housing

disasters. Its methodology includes sensitization

conditions, and infrastructure.

of teachers, students and parents, identificationof hazards and vulnerabilities at school level,

There is an project by WHO Kobe Centre which

preparation of school disaster management plans,

puts health at the heart of the climate change,

constitution of teams within the schools to carry out

expecting to promote research with Member States

tasks on disaster management, and organization ofand appropriate UN organizations, other agencies

regular mock drills.

and funding bodies for assessing the risks to humanhealth from climate change and implementing

Another interesting case on building a culture ofeffective response measures.

safety and resilience can be done by the distancelearning program on disaster risk management which

A project in Tajikistan aims at reducing vulnerabiity

is a series of online courses designed to develop aof the capital city residents to strong andbroader understanding of disaster risk management

catastrophic earthquakes through the implementation

among local government decision makers, policyof building inventory and development of earthquake

makers, city managers, administrators, and other key

damage scenarios and action plans, targeting tostakeholders.

benefit the total population of the city of Dushanbe.
Special attention will be given to primary facilities,
such as schools and hospitals.

17

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

INTRODUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA
HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTION

Good Practice: “Community Empowerment and Disaster Risk
Reduction” in Chittagong City, Bangladesh

However, the community members should

challenge that requires empowerment. Whilerealize that they must put in their own timerelief funds and goods will always alleviate

and money, even to the point of sacrifice.

suffering, their effect is temporary. There isThis process of struggle is what strengthensalso a danger that a community will not learn

community, facilitates first-hand learning

to help itself. The experience in Chittagong

and understanding about disaster riskof repeated heavy flooding could havemanagement, and promotes confidence thatbeen enough to make people feel helpless.

they can help themselves through adversity.

However, the community empowerment
approach for disaster management helped

Picture credit: PROMISE-Bangladesh

create a more proactive stance and attitude
among the people. Community empowerment
is a type of capacity development where its
members decide on the goals and strategies
for disaster risk management, contribute
some (if not all) of the resources needed,
and monitor their performance. Rather
than outsiders managing a community’srisk on their behalf, the members instead
struggle to understand why they are at
risk to flooding disasters, try to build
consensus on the ways to reduce theirrisk, set priorities, and then participate in
the measures needed to keep their risk
low. Some of the inputs can come fromoutside donors, including the government.

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

18

WAY FORWARD

To help a community face disaster is a

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA(ADPC safer cities 21)
http://www.adpc.net/v2007/Programs/UDRM/PROMISE/INFORMATION%20
RESOURCES/Safer%20Cities/Downloads/SaferCities21.pdf)

HFA Priority 5. Strengthening Preparedness for
Response
This category includes activities such as:(1) Developing a common understanding andactivities in support of disaster preparedness,(2) Assessing disaster preparedness capacities andmechanisms, and(3) Strengthening planning and programming fordisaster preparedness.
The activities for strengthening preparedness forresponse include public education, disaster risk
management master planning, urban development
planning, capacity enhancement, e-learning, disasterrisk reduction training programmes, and disastermitigation with multi-stakeholder involvement.
There is a case from Singapore which focuseson public education and community outreachprogrammes in order to engage and involve thepopulation in preparing for emergencies through a

19

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

multi-pronged approach targeted at different groups,
such as the residential sector, the commercial
and industrial workplace sector, and the school
population.
In order to strengthen the preparedness forresponse, Kathmandu Risk-Sensitive Land Use
Planning fromaims to ensure that the detailed land

use plan of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)of Nepal effectively integrates disaster risk reduction
within its spatial and physical development strategies
including regulatory and non-regulatory planning
tools, bylaws, regulations and procedures. Specifically,
the Project aims to provide technical assistance tothe Urban Development Department of KMC in termsof incorporating risk information and parameters in
KMC’s planning process and procedures.

INTRODUCTION
HFA AND URBAN RISK REDUCTIONSTATUS OF URBAN RISK IN ASIA

The Kathmandu Risk-Sensitive Land Use

Strategy for Disaster Risk Management. The

Planning is one of the two pilot applications offirst phase of the Project has focused on thethe Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction inassessment of the Emergency Management

Megacities Project. It aims to mainstream disaster

System of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)

risk reduction in the development strategies

and the city’s institutional training needs. Phaseand legislations of Kathmandu Metropolitan

2 addresses the creation of a competent andCity (KMC) through the development of a risk-

operational Disaster Risk Management andsensitive land-use plan, advocacy campaigns,

Citizen Safety (DRMCS) Section within the Urban

policy formulation, inter-institutional coordination

Development Department of KMC. The Emergency

and strengthening of local institutions.

The

Management component of the Cross-Cutting

overall goal of the Project is to ensure that

Capacity Development (3CD) Program aims to (1)the detailed land use plan of the Kathmandu

enhance the institutional capacities of KMC in

Metropolitan City (KMC) fully integrates disasteremergency and disaster management; (2) build

risk reduction within its spatial and physicala disaster management system at KMC, (3) build

development strategies including regulatory andstaff competency through specialized training,

non-regulatory planning tools, bylaws, regulationsand (4) develop the city's Emergency Plan.

INVENTORY OF URBAN RISK REDUCTION INITIATIVES IN ASIA

Good Practice: “Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning” and “Building a Competent
Disaster Management Department” in Kathmandu

and procedures. Specifically, the Project aims
to provide technical assistance to the Urban
Development Department of KMC in terms ofincorporating risk information and parametersin KMC’s planning process and procedures.
Another project in Nepal entitled “BuildingaCompetent

DisasterManagement

Department at the Kathmandu Metropolitan
City” aims to enhance the institutional
Kathmandu in emergency and disastermanagement, and integrate it with the National

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

20

WAY FORWARD

capacities of the city government ofGlobal・Cluster Cities Project・Mega-Learn: Megacity-specific eLearning Tools and Training Program
・World Bank Institute’ s Distance Learning Program

South West Asia
・Trainings on Safer Schools

Uzbekistan
Tajikistan

TurkeyJordanIranPakistan

BhutanIndia Nepal
Multiple Countries
・Mutual Learning: Development of Water Communities(Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam)

Bangladesh
Thailand・Cross-Cutting Capacity Development Program(Turkey, Philippines, Nepal, Jordan)
・Climate Change and Health in Urban Settings (Japan, Thailand)
・Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement(Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand)
・Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigationin Secondary Cities in Asia
(Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)
・School Earthquake Safety Initiative (Fiji, India, Indonesia, Uzbekistan)・Housing Earthquake Safety Initiative (Algeria, Indonesia, Nepal, Peru)
・Gendered Community Based Disaster Management (Bangladesh, Nepal)
・Urbanization and Community Based Disaster Management(Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka
Indonesia

Malaysia

・Strengthening Capacities
・Seismic Risk Reduction
・Flood Forecasting & Early Warning System
・Improvement in the Flood Forecasting & Warning System
・Flood Risk Assessment Management
・Health & Hospital Safety
・School Safety Programmes
・Advance Locality Management
・Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning
・Building a Competent Disaster Management Dept.
・Comprehensive Disaster Management Program

Republic of
Korea
China

Japan

・Urban Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program
・Developing Human Resources
・Preparing health facilities
・Multi-hazard Early Warning System
・Risk-Sensitive Urban Development Planning
・School Hydrological Information Network

VietnamPhilippines

・Community Infrastructure in Urban Areas

・A simplified approach to elaborate a tsunami scenario
・Community Based Hazard Mapping・Seismic and Tsunami Hazards and Risks Study
・Community Preparedness and Emergency Response

Singapore

Plan for Tsunami Disaster・Land Use Planning Appraisal in National Urbanization Policy
・Regulatory Control of Hazardous Materials
・Holistic Approach to Disaster Risk management
・International Earthquake & Tsunami Workshop

INDONESIAThe Great Sumatra Tsunami Disaster of 26 December 2004
took more than 270,000 lives from the countries surrounding
the Indian Ocean. An International Workshop “3rd International
Sumatra Earthquake & Tsunami Workshop” was organised by
Syiah Kuala University to review and discuss the recovery works
and DRR efforts of tsunami affected countries. The goal of the

Banda Acheprogram is that this first academic manifestation will become
an annual event that would gather international attention on
Banda Aceh & other tsunami affected countries, continue therehabilitation work, and provide the mechanisms for knowledge
sharing and learning from this disaster for many years to come.
The Workshop also addressed the issue of preservation ofdata and information about the tsunami for present and future
generations, and how to build competent local capacity toensure that the legacy from this disaster is not lost.

MALAYSIA

Since the level of seismic risk in Malaysia was unknown, there was thus
an urgent need to carry out a study to determine the level of seismic andtsunami risk in Malaysia and to determine whether seismic factors should
be taken into account in planning and design decisions as well as the risk

Langkawi
Kuala Muda
Kota Tinggi

to tsunamis from the Indian Ocean and from the western Pacific Ocean
needed to be ascertained. “Seismic and Tsunami Hazards and Risks Studyin Malaysia” was taken up by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia to satisfy
the needs through Mapping nationally and regionally, Installation of strongmotion accelerograph in a selected building in Putrajaya, FEM Computermodeling of selected infrastructures (bridges, dams, elevated highways and
LRT, and tunnels), and Public Drill for tsunami evacuation.
After the study, surveys and focus group discussions of the community,
local agencies and state agencies were conducted to gauge the awarenessand preparedness level of the community, local and state agencies infacing tsunami through interfacing activities, seminars, workshops, public
lectures, Friday sermons radio talk shows and printed materials in the
program “Community Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan for
Tsunami Disaster”
Another case from Malaysia is on “Land Use Planning Appraisal for Risk
Areas in Malaysia National Urbanisation Policy” taken up by the Town andCountry Planning Department, Ministry of Housing and Local Government,with the major goal of providing a systematic approach toward sustainable
development by enhancing safe city planning initiatives; comprehensive safe
city programmes; and enhanced public awareness programmes through amulti-sectorial approach.

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Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

PHILIPPINES

A project in Philippines “Makati Risk-Sensitive Urban Redevelopment Planning”
has set its overall goal to transform a disaster-prone area in Makati to asafer and disaster-resilient neighborhood. This demonstration planning project
implemented by Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, German Committee
for Disaster Reduction (DKKV), City Government of Makati, Metro Manila

MakatiDevelopment Authority (MMDA), and Philippine Institute of Volcanology andSeismology (PHIVOLCS), can be used as a model and replication in its otherhigh-risk districts as well as in other cities of Metro Manila. Phase 1 of the
project has set out the guidelines, risk profile, general planning principles andother preparatory work for the formulation of the redevelopment master plan
while Phase 2 focuses on situational analysis, site selection and analysis andredevelopment planning.

School Hydrological Information Network (SHINE)” implemented by Provincial Government of Bulacan through its
Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO) in coordination with the Pampanga River Flood Forecasting &Warning Center (PRFFWC) and Flood Forecasting Branch of PAGASA, is a program aiming at addressing the global
warming issue, focusing on the awareness to hydtomet-related disasters. The activity is another way of supportingthe Department of Education's thrust in its “climate change” enhanced curriculum, there is also that underlying
principle that disaster awareness begins in schools.
“Community Infrastructure in Urban Areas - Creating Jobs” has been implemented in Philippines by ILO incollaboration with local government units and communities, and is now expanding activities to crisis affectedurban areas and intends to develop a new Guide for local government units on enhancing disaster preparedness
and risk reduction through the use of local-resource based work methods including employment-intensive works
technology. Activities of the project will include the identification and scoping of selected disaster preparedness
interventions in cyclone prone areas, the implementation of demonstration projects in collaboration with local
agencies, the development of a Guide on using local resource-based methods to create employment and reducepoverty in a crisis response context and the training of local government units in scoping and implementing
disaster preparedness and risk reduction projects through employment intensive methods. The demonstration
projects which will be implemented to enhance disaster risk preparedness and reduce disaster risk will also
generate “green jobs” and sustainable enterprises.

SINGAPORE

Two distinctive programmes are presented by the Singapore Civil Defense Force(SCDF). One of the programmes is entitled “Regulatory Control of Hazardous
Materials (HazMat) in Singapore’s land transportation landscape.” This
programme has been planned to defuse the threat of terrorist using hazardous
materials through enhancing security regarding HazMat transportation by
providing SCDF an overall picture of the movement of Hazmat transport vehicles
in Singapore on a 24/7 basis.

Singapore

Another programme from Singapore is “Holistic Approach to Disaster Risk
management--Public Education and Community Outreach Programmes by theSingapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF),” with its vision to strengthen the nation's
resilience and preparedness towards disasters through active public educationand engagement programmes with all stakeholders of the country such as
residential sector, the commercial and industrial workplace sector, and theschool population.

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

24

BANGLADESH“Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP)”intends to carry out
projects on three main subcomponents of the Earthquake and Tsunami
preparedness component and one subcomponent under Support for
Disaster Management Information Network. CDMP is designed to strengthen
the Bangladesh Disaster Management System and more specifically to

SylhetDhaka

achieve a paradigm shift from reactive response to a proactive risk
reduction culture. It is a multi agency collaborative initiative by Oyo
International Corporation (OIC)-Japan; Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)Thailand; National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET)-Nepal;

Chittagong

Dhaka University Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology(CUET)-Bangladesh, Shajalal University of Sylhet; and Bangladesh
Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC). Under the Earthquake and Tsunami
Preparedness Component, this consultancy project aims to facilitate thepreparation of the earthquake emergency plans with a view to strengthen
the capacity of the city dwellers to face, manage and operate the plan
effectively in the event of the earthquakes

INDIA

In the programme named “Urban Risk Reduction through Health & Hospital
Safety from Disasters in National Capital Territory of Delhi, India”, thefocus has been put on the initiative on “health sector safety in disasters”
in Delhi, which includes major activities such as preparetion of hospitaldisaster management plan in each hospital in Delhi, district health plan

Delhi
Mumbaifor all districts, training of doctors on pre-hospital care and support staff,
and ensuring hospital networking during disasters. It is an initiative of
the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Delhi, in consultation with the
National Institute of Disaster Management.
Another program from India is about “Urban Risk Mitigation through School
Safety Programmes in Delhi,” aiming at developing a culture of disastersafety in schools with broad objectives of sensitization of students and teachers towards safety issues andmaking schools premises safe against impending disasters. Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi(GNCTD) has taken up this initiative with support from SEEDS, Geo Hazards International (GHI) and USAID.

The

Building Material Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) is also contributing, with support NCPDP Ahmedabad.
Also from India, there is a unique example of community-government partnership presented in anotherprogramme, entitled “Advance Locality Management (ALM) in Mumbai: Enhancing disaster resilience throughlocal environmental management.” The Advance Locality Management (ALM) was started by motivated citizens
who were concerned with neighborhood problems and resultantly growing localized risks. ALMs play a keyrole in sensitizing the citizens to inculcate the spirit of civic consciousness, and ensure their co-operation
to the municipal administration. Their role is most significant to educate the masses. This is a system which
encourages the citizen to take active role in reducing localized risks significantly. The programme is being
implemented by about 800 neighbourhood groups in association with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai
and a few community based organizations.

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Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

NEPAL

Kathmandu
Metropolitan City

The programme “Kathmandu Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning” has set its
aims to mainstream disaster risk reduction in the development strategies andlegislations of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) through the development ofa risk-sensitive land-use plan, advocacy campaigns, policy formulation, interinstitutional coodination and strengthening of local institutions. The overall goalof the Project is to ensure that the detailed land use plan of the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City (KMC) fully integrates disaster risk reduction within its
spatial and physical development strategies including regulatory and nonregulatory planning tools, bylaws, regulations and procedures. The programme
is an initiative of Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, German Committee forDisaster Reduction (DKKV), Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kathmandu Valley
Town Planning Committee, and National Society for Earthquake Technology.

Another project in Nepal entitled “Building a Competent Disaster Management Department at the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City” implemented by Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI), German Committee for Disaster
Reduction (DKKV), and Kathmandu Metropolitan City, aims to enhance the institutional capacities of the city
government of Katumandu in emergency and disaster management, and integrate it with the National Stragegy
for Disaster Risk Management. The Emergency Management component of the Cross-Cutting Capacity Development(3CD) Program aims to (1) enhance the institutional capacities of KMC in emergency and disaster management;(2) build a disaster management sysytems at KMC, (3) build staff competency through specialized training, and (4)develop the city's Emergency Plan.

PAKISTAN
Rawalpindi& Islamabad

After unprecedented rainfall on July 23, 2001, the flood in Nullah Lai produced
catastrophic damage in the based area including death of 74 people and thedestruction of about 3000 houses. After this flood, “Project for Imploving in
Flood Forecasting & Early Warning System of Lai Nullah Basin in Rawalpindi
and Islamabad” was initiated for establishing early waning system for safety oflife and property of the people of twin cities.
The flood experience also initiated a set of project named “Project for
Improvement in the Flood Forecasting & Warning System in Lai Nullah
Basin in Rawalpindi and Islamabad” with its aim to enhance availabilityof early warning time period and availability of more accurate hydrological
data for future studies and programs, and “Flood Risk Assessment
Management of Lai Nullah,” including flood risk assessment management

through DRR, capacity building, foreign training of counterparts, and rescue & evacuation. The projects were
initiated by Federal Flood Center (FFC) in collaboration with Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Central
District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR), Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence.

SRI LANKAGalle

In the programme “A simplified approach to elaborate a tsunami scenario
for the Port of Galle, Sri Lanka,” a methodology to elaborate a scenario ofpotential impacts of a tsunami in coastal cities is presented. The approachhas been tailored to span eleven development sectors which are present in
typical cities such as health, education, housing, life lines, transportation,
telecommunications, industry, government, etc. The programme was taken up
by the Technical Committee on Early Warning and Disaster Management of Sri
Lanka, UNU-EHS, and PPEW-ISDR.
Community Based Hazard Mapping has been started in “Community Based
Hazard Mapping in Galle District, Sri-Lanka” through community level workshop
in all 19 divisions of Galle district, Sri-Lanka.

The goal is to rise to the public awareness about natural disaster. In total, 3350 residents participated in thisproject. And they could propose their opinion actively and consider disaster prevention by themselves. The
initiative was taken by residents, local government officials and experts in Galle district with support from ADRC
(Asian Disaster Reduction Center).

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

26

ChinaIn China, A programme on early warning system has been introduced in the
project: “The Shanghai Multi-hazard Early Warning System (The Shanghai
MHWS)” by the Shanghai Regional Meteorological Centre, and the Emergency
Response Management Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government. This
programme aims to establish a mechanism on multi-agency response tonatural disaster and standards on production and dissemination of multi-

Shanghaihazard early warning. On the social level, carrying out the 'Leading bygovernment, Grass-roots' disaster prevention concept, push forward thedevelopment of community safety system.

Japan

After the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1999, Kobe has been the center ofdisaster-related activities in Japan. A training program entitled “Developing
Human Resources of Disaster Reduction” has been conducted by Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hyogo International Center to shareaccumulated experience, lessons, and expertise with government officials from

KOBE

developing countries through training programmes.
As another program in Kobe, an international program named “Preparing
health facilities for disasters in cities” has been implemented by WHO Kobe
Center with its aims to conduct a situational analysis on the preparedness of
selected health facilities, characterize the features and attributes of effective
urban health facility disaster preparedness policies and programmes, andadvocate the policies and programmes within the context of health systems
development.

Republic of
Korea

Republic of Korea is targeting the test operation in 2009 to initiate theprogram “Urban Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program (proposed)” with theaims to construct the cooperation system for DRR and to support the activityof various DRR in North East Asia and to develop a training and educational
program for experts of urban DRR in the world. The initiative is proposed by

Incheon27

the National Emergency Management Agency, and the City of Incheon.

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

IRAN

The program “Strengthening Capacities for Disaster Risk Management inIran” by ADPC intends to reduce risks associated with one natural hazard(earthquakes) in an urban context. The intention will be to replicate thesemanagement arrangements on a larger scale and operationalize it across
Gorganother cities of Iran, in accordance with national codes and building standards
developed during the pilot.

KermanTAJIKISTAN

The objective of the project “Seismic Risk Reduction for the City of Dushanbe
Project” is to reduce vulnerability of the capital city residents to strong andcatastrophic earthquakes through the implementation of building inventory
and development of earthquake damage scenarios and action plans. The
project beneficiaries are the total population of the city of Dushanbe. Special
attention will be given to social facilities, such as school and hospitals. The

Dushanbe

project has been initiated by United Nations Disaster Risk Mitigation Project(UN/DRMP), “Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness (PMP) International” NGO,
Tajik Technical University (Civil Engineering Department), Institute of Earthquake
Engineering and Seismology (IEES) of the Academy of Sciences of the Republicof Tajikistan, and the Ministry of Emergencies and Civil Defence of the
Republic of Tajikistan.

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BANGLADESH, NEPAL“Gendered Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) in the Context of Regional Development” intends topromote gender perspectives and disaster preparedness in the context of regional development at government
levels and at the community levels, empowering both women and men through decision-making and planning as
members of communities.

JAPAN, THAILAND“Climate change and health in urban settings” is a newly conceptualized project, seeking to put health at theheart of the climate change agenda by convening of an expert group meeting, by in-house and contractual
research work for evidence generation and evidence-based bulid up, and by advocacy work to draw attention on
climate change and health.

BANGLADESH, NEPAL, SRI LANKA“Urbanisation and Community Based Disaster management (HTF VII - IX)” is a series of projects focusing on
mainstreaming disaster risk reduction activities in the context of urbanising communities and city planning overa three year period with additional focus on gender. Projects were implemented in a manner that addressed theneeds, vulnerabilities, and capacities of communities in the midst of rapid urban growth.

INDIA, INDONESIA, UZBEKISTAN“School Earthquake Safety Initiative (SESI): Reducing Vulnerability of School Children to Earthquakes” includes
retrofitting of school buildings in a participatory way with the involvement of local communities, resource
institution, local governments; and training on safer construction practices to technicians, disaster education inschools and local communities, targeting India, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.

MALAYSIA, JAPAN, VIETNAM
With the core concept of 'Water-Environment', “Participatory Environment and Disaster Management throughMutual Learning: Development of Water Communities in Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam” discusses the urban
management from community perspective, and specifically focuses on water related environment and disasterissues in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Saijo (Japan), and Danang (Vietgnam), aiming to show the awareness ofwater-environment in community and the environmental characteristics of region.

INDONESIA, NEPAL“Housing Earthquake Safety Initiative (HESI)” is a project aiming to improve structural safety of houses to prevent
damages and safeguard people's lives, property and livelihood from earthquakes through effective implementationof building safety regulations for Indonesia and Nepal. This initiative is also covering countries in other regions
such as Algeria and Peru.

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Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

TURKEY, PHILIPPINES, NEPAL, JORDAN“Cross-Cutting Capacity Development Program (3cd Programe)” is a long-term, inter-disciplinary and multi-partner
program aimed at assisting cities to implement sound practices in disaster risk management by finding ways to
conduct risk reduction and management activities before disaster strikes in order to protect lives and properties,
enhance economic activities, and preserve historical wealth and social structures, particularly of megacities indeveloping nations such as Turkey, Philippines, Nepal and Jordan.

BANGLADESH, VIET NAM, PHILIPPINES, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA“Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Aisa (PROMISE)” contributes towards
reduction of vulnerability of urban communities through enhanced preparedness and mitigation of hydrometeorological disasters in South and Southeast Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philipphines,
Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The program's strategies include increasing stakeholders' involvement and further
enhancement of strategies, tools and methodologies related to community preparedness and mitigation throughthe promotion of good governance and community-based disaster risk management.

BHUTAN, INDIA, INDONESIA, NEPAL, THE PHILIPPINES,SRI LANKA AND THAILAND“Asian Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigatin (RECLAM)--Phase II” promotes
a dialogue between decisionmakers and professionals about the theoretical and practical aspects and issues
related to landslide hazard mitigation. The program activities are designed to be implemented in three-years
involving national partners from Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philoppines, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

SOUTH WEST ASIAN COUNTRIES“Training on Safer Schools Against Disasters” aims to build capacity of government officials responsible forbuilding schools in implementing school earthquake safety programs, targeting South West Asian Countries.

GLOBAL“Mega-Learn: Negacity-specific eLearning Toors and Training Programs” is a global on-line platform for training,
capacity building and knowledge sharing. It consists of megacity-specific tools and online training courses fordisaster risk management practitioners, city managers, researchers and other professionals.
Another global online project is “World Bank Institute's Distance Learning Program on Natural Disaster Risk
Management,” which is a series of online courses designed to develop a broader understanding of natural
disaster risk management among local government decision makers, policy makers, city managers, administrators,
and planners, disaster management practitioners and responders as well as enhance the effectiveness of disasterrisk management practices at the local and community levels.
There is also a non-online global project named “Cluster Cities Project (CCP) .” This is a pioneering platform
for the establishment of a worldwide network of megacities supporting the paradigm shift from reactive disaster
response to proactive risk reduction by building a coalition of partner cities amongst each worldwide cluster anda community of urban disaster risk reduction practitioners.

Reducing Urban Risk In Asia

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WAY FORWARD

In conclusion, urban risk reduction in Asia needs a

6. Collaborative efforts in 'knowledge transfer' atbalanced mix of policy formulation, implementation

the community-to-community level and city to cityof regulatory measures, and education-awarenesslevel have to be encouraged, particularly between

programs with community based approaches.

developed and developing cities.

A few

conclusive statements can be as follow :7. There is a need to understand and enact theconcept of sustainable development and sustainable

1. Urban risk poses a challenge for effective

living, in all its varied definitions, to achieve urban

distribution and management of global resources.

risk reduction objectives.

2. For effective urban risk reduction, there is a

8. Development of new technologies that areneed to strike a balance between natural and built

clean, green and practical has to be encouraged

environments and between ecological and economicand exchanged between national and city/local

objectives.

governments to combat environmental risk problems

3. There is a need to develop a structure of goals/

emanating from and also impacting cities.

visions and a methodology to achieve urban risk
reduction in order to identify the action that has tobe taken.
4. Steps need to be taken that are relevant in the
short term in order to gain wider acceptability, but
keeping long term goals in mind.
5. Access, sharing and dissemination of information
has to be a priority to achieve greater understandingof the issues involved.

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Reducing Urban Risk In Asia