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The urban domino effect: a conceptualization of cities’ interconnectedness of risk

Wamsler, Christine LU and Brink, Ebba LU (2016) In International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment 7(2). p.80-113
Abstract
Purpose
Cities are both at risk and the cause of risk. The interconnectedness of urban features and systems increases the likelihood of complex disasters and a cascade or “domino” effect from related impacts. However, the lack of research means that our knowledge of urban risk is both scarce and fragmented. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unique dynamics of risk in urban settings.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on literal reading, grounded theory and systems analysis, this conceptual paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk. It conceptualizes how interdependent, interconnected risk is shaped by urban characteristics and exemplifies its particularities... (More)
Purpose
Cities are both at risk and the cause of risk. The interconnectedness of urban features and systems increases the likelihood of complex disasters and a cascade or “domino” effect from related impacts. However, the lack of research means that our knowledge of urban risk is both scarce and fragmented. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unique dynamics of risk in urban settings.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on literal reading, grounded theory and systems analysis, this conceptual paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk. It conceptualizes how interdependent, interconnected risk is shaped by urban characteristics and exemplifies its particularities with data and analysis of specific cases. From this, it identifies improvements both in the content and the indicators of the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2) that will be adopted in 2015.

Findings
While it is common to see disasters as “causes”, and the destruction of the built environment as “effects”, this paper highlights that the intricate links between cities and disasters cannot be described by a unidirectional cause-and-effect relationship. The city–disasters nexus is a bidirectional relationship, which constantly shapes, and is shaped by, other processes (such as climate change).

Practical implications
This paper argues that in-depth knowledge of the links between cities’ characteristic features, related systems and disasters is indispensable for addressing root causes and mainstreaming risk reduction into urban sector work. It enables city authorities and other urban actors to improve and adapt their work without negatively influencing the interconnectedness of urban risk.

Originality/value
This paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk and further demonstrates how the characteristics of the urban fabric (physical/spatial, environmental, social, economic and political/institutional) and related systems increase risk by: intensifying hazards or creating new ones, exacerbating vulnerabilities and negatively affecting existing response and recovery mechanisms. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment
volume
7
issue
2
pages
34 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:85010705056
  • wos:000412704400002
ISSN
1759-5908
DOI
10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2015-0001
project
Increasing Societies´ Adaptive Capacities to Climate Change: Distributed Urban Risk Governance for Achieving Sustainable Transformation and Resilience of Cities.
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
76becb18-947d-4fae-8059-9050c472899f
date added to LUP
2016-06-14 10:22:57
date last changed
2022-04-24 08:06:29
@article{76becb18-947d-4fae-8059-9050c472899f,
  abstract     = {{Purpose<br/>Cities are both at risk and the cause of risk. The interconnectedness of urban features and systems increases the likelihood of complex disasters and a cascade or “domino” effect from related impacts. However, the lack of research means that our knowledge of urban risk is both scarce and fragmented. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unique dynamics of risk in urban settings.<br/><br/>Design/methodology/approach<br/>Based on literal reading, grounded theory and systems analysis, this conceptual paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk. It conceptualizes how interdependent, interconnected risk is shaped by urban characteristics and exemplifies its particularities with data and analysis of specific cases. From this, it identifies improvements both in the content and the indicators of the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2) that will be adopted in 2015.<br/><br/>Findings<br/>While it is common to see disasters as “causes”, and the destruction of the built environment as “effects”, this paper highlights that the intricate links between cities and disasters cannot be described by a unidirectional cause-and-effect relationship. The city–disasters nexus is a bidirectional relationship, which constantly shapes, and is shaped by, other processes (such as climate change).<br/><br/>Practical implications<br/>This paper argues that in-depth knowledge of the links between cities’ characteristic features, related systems and disasters is indispensable for addressing root causes and mainstreaming risk reduction into urban sector work. It enables city authorities and other urban actors to improve and adapt their work without negatively influencing the interconnectedness of urban risk.<br/><br/>Originality/value<br/>This paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk and further demonstrates how the characteristics of the urban fabric (physical/spatial, environmental, social, economic and political/institutional) and related systems increase risk by: intensifying hazards or creating new ones, exacerbating vulnerabilities and negatively affecting existing response and recovery mechanisms.}},
  author       = {{Wamsler, Christine and Brink, Ebba}},
  issn         = {{1759-5908}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{80--113}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment}},
  title        = {{The urban domino effect: a conceptualization of cities’ interconnectedness of risk}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2015-0001}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2015-0001}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}