Population shifts and an increase in the number of natural (and man-made) disasters are having a profound effect on urban and rural habitats globally. This book brings together for the first time the experiences and knowledge of international contributors from academia, research, policy and practice to discuss the role of spatial planning after significant disasters. It highlights on-going efforts to improve spatial resilience across the globe and predicts future trends. Comparisons from five countries including Japan, the US, Indonesia, Slovakia and Germany, highlight the influence of significant disasters on spatial planning and spatial resiliency under different legal-administrative and cultural frameworks.

Population shifts and an increase in the number of natural (and man-made) disasters are having a profound effect on urban and rural habitats globally. This book brings together for the first time the experiences and knowledge of international contributors from academia, research, policy and practice to discuss the role of spatial planning after significant disasters. It highlights on-going efforts to improve spatial resilience across the globe and predicts future trends. Comparisons from five countries including Japan, the US, Indonesia, Slovakia and Germany, highlight the influence of significant disasters on spatial planning and spatial resiliency under different legal-administrative and cultural frameworks.

"Assessment of Vulnerability to Natural Hazards" covers the vulnerability of human and environmental systems to climate change and eight natural hazards: earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, forest fires, drought, coastal erosion, and heat waves.

This book is an important contribution to the field, clarifying terms and investigating the nature of vulnerability to hazards in general and in various specific European contexts. In addition, this book helps improve understanding of vulnerability and gives thorough methodologies for investigating situations in which people and their environments are vulnerable to hazards. With case studies taken from across Europe, the underlying theoretical frame is transferrable to other geographical contexts, making the content relevant worldwide.
Provides a framework of theory and methodology designed to help researchers and practitioners understand the phenomenon of vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters and to climate changeContains case studies that illustrate how to apply the methodology in different ways to diverse hazards in varied settings (rural, urban, coastal, mountain, and more)Describes how to validate the results of methodology application in different situations and how to respond to the needs of diverse groups of stakeholders represented by the public and private sectors, civil society, researchers, and academics