ABSTRACT
Cities are often at the front line of disasters when local capacity is overwhelmed. Emergency services, transportation, utilities, and urban livelihoods are often severely constrained during major disasters, which also exacerbate existing problems, disparities, and injustices. Moreover, “cascading” effects such as fires, hazardous materials releases, and conflicts can arise from earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and other large disasters. Cities need the counterbalancing ability to cope with unplanned events and to manage and govern during times of hardship.
