This text presents principles and construction techniques applicable to builders, householders and communities who are building in disaster-prone areas. The principles are clearly and simply presented, with an emphasis on improving hazard-resistance for minimum cost. They seek to encourage builders to improve their current practices rather than setting building standards or providing hazard-resistance performance specifications.;The book includes sections on siting for safety - siting considerations in areas prone to high winds, earthquakes, flooding; and siting to avoid ground instability problems; building safely in masonry: principles of robust construction and building to resist earthquakes for buildings of brick, block, earth and stone masonry; building safely in timber - principles of robust construction and building to resist high winds and earthquake forces in timber framed buildings; and building safely in concrete - principles of robust construction and building to resist earthquake forces in reinforced concrete framed buildings.