The
outcome of Asia's high rate of urbanization has
been the expansion of urban populations into
geographic areas, which are frequently affected
by disaster events. The result is an increased
vulnerability of populations and infrastructure.
Disaster mitigation measures such as:
-
Earthquake and cyclone-resistant buildings
and infrastructure
-
Flood and landslide control measures
-
Incorporation of disaster vulnerability into
land-use planning, and
-
Introduction of regulatory measures in
industrialized zones
have
rarely been attempted in most Asian countries.
Crosscutting issues, which are directly
influencing the vulnerability of urban
population, such as rapid urbanization,
environmental degradation, climate variations,
etc., also have contributed negatively to
national economies and infrastructure.
Some
other such widespread issues are air pollution,
shortages in water supply and power generation,
destruction of utilities such as power and
telecommunication systems, and to lesser
magnitude, social conflicts. However there is
opportunity for exploitation of higher growth
rates associated with urbanization for risk
reduction. Increased resources could be made
available to integrate risk mitigation into
urban planning and city management, generating
preparedness and emergency management capacity
in urban communities. The ultimate aim of UDRM
is to manage and enhance the capacity of cities
to reduce disaster risk in an atmosphere of
sustainable development, while enhancing the
quality of life of urban populations.
Activities undertaken by the Asian Urban
Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP) over a
period of eight years, have demonstrated the
effectiveness of mitigation measures in reducing
natural disaster vulnerability. Demonstration
projects in nine countries, information
dissemination and networking activities, and the
Regional training courses on Earthquake
Vulnerability Reduction, Flood Risk mitigation,
Technological Risk Reduction and Urban Disaster
Mitigation have convincingly brought to light
the opportunities for high impact interventions.
City managers and elected municipal officials
have responded to initial project activities in
selected cities by matching funds to project
activities and pledges to incorporate disaster
vulnerability considerations into new building
and zoning regulations. Change in the
professional practices in urban land use
planning, building code appliances through the
demonstrated commitment of the professionals,
construction sector stakeholders and development
practitioners also contributed to the success of
the program. The activities have also emphasized
the challenges of institutionalizing disaster
vulnerability awareness at all levels.
Currently a significant demand is apparent for
Urban Disaster Risk Management (UDRM), not only
in AUDMP target countries but also in other
countries in the region. The region demands for
expansion of AUDMP activities to improve
response, preparedness capacities as well as
long-term mitigation activities to reduce the
vulnerability. Since the responsibility of
implementing and linking diverse activities
throughout a vast and diverse region has been
bestowed on ADPC, the center has recognized the
importance of enhancing the scope of AUDMP
through theme action focused on Urban Risk
Management. Management. This will become a
permanent focus area of ADPC for future
endeavor. UDRM theme will continue to facilitate
interventions for promotion of local and
traditional practices, research and
technological transfer, replication of best
practices, promotion of innovative solutions,
development of, information products to capture
experiences for dissemination as well as
training and capacity building.
The
issue of Urban Disaster risk reduction is based
on the success of initiatives undertaken at
regional level as well as national to grassroots
or community levels with the participation of
all stakeholders including vulnerable
communities. ADPC wishes to focus on UDRM at the
regional level while strengthening the national
level institutions through building their
capacity.The UDRM interventions are directly
related to other urban issues such as
governance, poverty alleviation, gender
sensitivity, protection of natural resource and
environment etc. ADPC believes that by linking
them together will enrich the endeavor.
Vision
Sufferings of inhabitants, economic and material
losses as a result of disasters are prevented,
minimized or mitigated while preserving the
gains and benefits of the urbanization for
building safer urban communities.
Mission
Urban disaster risk is managed and mitigated by
creating an enabling environment through
building the capacity of stakeholders, use of
information on hazard potential, facilitating
structural and non-structural interventions and
effective emergency response planning process.
Purpose
-
To create reactive, receptive, and sensitive
urban communities in the region capable of
undertaking organized approaches to mitigate
and manage disaster risks by transferring
information, technical knowledge and skills.
-
To advocate for socially acceptable and
compatible policies with farsighted
community values, legal mechanisms and
increased investments to have a effective
disaster risk. mitigation mechanisms in
place with the view to build safer urban
communities in the region
-
To become a resource center on urban
disaster risk management and a recognized
clearing house of information on the subject
area.
