Cities and disasters: responsibilities and opportunities? Case of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, 2013

01/11/2013

Cities are not immune to natural hazards, violent environmental phenomena that are becoming more frequent and unexpected in their forms. Their destructive impacts are multiplied, frequently transforming hazards into urban disasters. Various factors accompany or cause these effects: lack of governance, poorly controlled urban development, dangerous occupations in high-risk areas. Ignorance, ignorance, ignorance, forgetfulness or even denial of both populations and local authorities to potential risks are all factors of unpreparedness to risks.