Low vs high levels of social cohesion as weaknesses or strengths in disaster situations

Attitudes oscillated between a perceived weakness due to low social cohesion in areas with a high fluctuation of people, including but not limited to a high flow of tourists and expatriates, and a perceived strength of tightly knit neighbourhoods with strong social cohesion. Whereas, initially, many participants argued with general stereotypes, i.e. urban anonymity in multi-storey apartment blocks vs strong community sense in rural villages, the discussions also revealed more pointed aspects, in particular related to the strengths and weaknesses of multicultural neighbourhoods.

Cultural Factors: Social networks, Ethnicity, Open-mindedness

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Preparedness, Response, Recovery

Recommendations:

• Foster social connectedness and the development of a strong sense of community, as these encourage citizens to help each other in disaster situations