Prioritizing built environment policies as a prevention tool

With regard to tangible cultural heritage, if we accept that “all disasters affect the built environment”, that disasters are on the increase, and that more and more people are forced to live in unsafe locations, then the responsibility to take account of disasters in construction becomes of primary, not secondary importance. Safer building practices can help prevent disasters altogether and buildings can be modified to prepare for disasters. Infrastructure needs to be rebuilt stronger, to mitigate damage. Warner and Engel (for literature source see original document) and many other scholars, recommend involving the property owners in construction and reconstruction. The participation of affected citizens in decision-making not only empowers them by giving them ownership of the process, but also allows for the transfer of the valuable traditional technical skills that will ensure the sustainability of construction.

Note: See source document for full reference.

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

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

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Recovery

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

Recommendations:

• Prioritise protection of cultural heritage when preparing disaster management plans and procedures. Moreover, disasters managers should capitalize on tangible and intangible cultural heritage to assist communities in becoming more resilience