Culture and "seismic architecture"

Whilst it is a fair point that “few urban dwellers would be prepared to forego their modern apartment for a Maya or Inca dwelling”, many “developed” countries have also taken steps to adopt these lessons from their disaster culture. Bankoff (for literature reference see original source document) comprehensively discusses the centuries-long development of “seismic architecture”, which is both a preventative and recovery strategy in disaster management. He explains how the three world regions of the Eastern Mediterranean, southern Europe and the Himalayan arc have “evolved in many ways a common response to that threat [earthquakes] through seismic architecture”. He discusses how the Eastern Mediterranean “appears to be one of the cradles of seismic engineering”, especially in Greece and Turkey, where reinforced beams and other techniques provide some protection from earthquakes. In southern Europe; Portugal, Spain and Italy have developed a “three-dimensional wooden-framed cage” system. Kashmir has developed techniques that share similarities with both of the above approaches. Pakistan may be the “most impressive example of the increased acceptance of traditional construction for earthquake hazard mitigation to date”. A change in policy came after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. They have now approved two types of timber based construction, to encourage more construction with proven resistance to earthquakes, rather than using reinforced concrete.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values, Individual/collective memory, Local knowledge

Hazards: Natural hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention

Types of Actors Concerned: Local authorities, Non-active citizens, Government

Recommendations:

• Develop a personal “culture of preparedness”