Debating Disaster Risk

Gonzalo Lizarralde is a professor in the School of Architecture at Université de Montréal, where he holds the Fayolle-Magil Construction Chair in Architecture, Built Environment, and Sustainability.Lisa Bornstein is an associate professor and the director of the School of Urban Planning at McGill University.Tapan Dhar is an assistant professor in the School of the Environment at Trent University.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: The Problem of Explaining Problems, by Tapan Dhar, Lisa Bornstein, and Gonzalo LizarraldePart I. Language and Meanings: Language and Meanings of Risk, Adaptation, and Resilience in Negril, Jamaica, by Tapan Dhar, Gonzalo Lizarralde, and Lisa Bornstein1. On Fragility: Are Cities and Human Systems Increasingly Fragile in the Face of Disasters?, by Thomas Fisher and Michael Mehaffy2. On Power Imbalances: Is Disaster-Related Research and Practice in the Global South Unfavorably Guided by Northern Ideas?, by J. C. Gaillard and Carmen Mendoza-Arroyo3. On Resilience: Is the Concept of Resilience Useful in the Fields of Disaster Risk Reduction and the Built Environment, or Is It Just Another Abused and Malleable Buzzword?, by Daniel Aldrich and Jonathan JosephPart II. Tough Choices: Tough Choices in Responding to Disasters: Flooding in Mozambique and California, by Lisa Bornstein, Tapan Dhar, and Gonzalo Lizarralde4. On Emergency Response: Does Temporary Housing Hinder the Recovery Process?, by Ilan Kelman and Graham Saunders5. On Shelter: Should Refugees Be Sheltered in Contained, Organized Camps or Be Allowed to Disperse Throughout Urban and Rural Areas?, by Kamel Abboud and Jeff Crisp6. On Participation: Is Public Participation the Key to Success for Urban Projects and Initiatives Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction?, by Christopher Bryant and Camillo Boano7. On Aid: Does Aid Actually Aid in Avoiding Disasters and Rebuilding After Disasters?, by Anna Konotchick and Jason von MedingPart III. What Ought to Be: Living with Risk or Relocating in Isabela de Sagua, Cuba, by Gonzalo Lizarralde, Tapan Dhar, and Lisa Bornstein8. On External Agents and Consultants: Do International Agencies, Consultants, and Other “Orchestrators” Truly Help Cities Reduce Climate-Related Risks?, by Lorenzo Chelleri and Craig Johnson9. On Regulations: Should Governments Devise and Enforce Standards for Low-Cost Housing in Developing Countries?, by Edmundo Werna and Brian Aldrich 10. On Environmental Performance Indicators: Should Construction and Urban Projects in Developing Countries Adopt Green Building Certifications Created in Developed and Industrialized Nations?, by Jared O. Blum and David Wachsmuth 11. On Adaptation: Is Adapting to Climate Change Our Best Choice?, by Deborah Harford and Silja KleppConclusions: Ethics in Decisions on Tough Problems, by Gonzalo Lizarralde, Lisa Bornstein, and Tapan Dhar List of ContributorsIndex

The authors of Debating Disaster Risk bring their expertise in a multitude of fields to examine the often unintended consequences and aftereffects of decisions made in grappling with climate change, disasters, and risk more broadly. Debating Disaster Risk delves beyond success or failure and into the fraught conflict of it all, a critical space to maintain in such discussions, but one all too often set aside for comfort.