Resources: Publications
Preliminary findings from research conducted by DIEM partners are resulting in publications in the academic press. This page includes a partial listing of work recently submitted by DIEM principal investigators. Please visit our web site again for future additions to this page.
Research Focus Area: Planning for Resilience
Project Title: "The Disaster Mitigation Act: An Assessment of State and Local Mitigation Planning and Implementation"
Investigators: Philip Berke, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Gavin P. Smith, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Publications:
Berke, P. and G.P. Smith. 2009. Hazard Mitigation Planning and Disaster Resiliency: Challenges and Strategic Choices for the 21st Century in Planning the Risk: Spatial Planning as a Strategy for Mitigation and Adaptation to Natural Hazards. Amsterdam, NL: ISO Press.
Knowledge about the causes and consequences of hazards is increasing, but losses continue to rise dramatically. In this chapter, researchers Berke and Smith examine the major benefits of land use planning when applied to hazard mitigation, and then discuss why vulnerable communities fail to enact effective planning programs to prevent hazard-induced losses. The authors then present five sets of choices that communities can make to advance planning for mitigation with the ultimate goal of disaster resiliency.
Berke, P., Gavin P. Smith and Ward Lyles. August 31, 2009. State Hazard Mitigation Plan Evaluation and Model Practices: Analysis of Federal Mitigation Policy in the U.S.: Mitigation Plans, Expenditures, Civic Engagement, and Local Capability. Chapel Hill, NC: Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence -- Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management; Institute for the Environment; Center for the Study of Natural Hazards and Disasters; and the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In this report, investigators Berke and Smith with graduate researcher Lyles summarize the findings of the first year of research, describe the research methods used and the results to date, and provide specific recommendations to improve hazard mitigation planning practice.