Sustainable neighbourhood earthquake emergency planning in megacities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the main prerequisites which are deemed for successful disaster mitigation activities in megacities by considering various aspects related to disaster risk reduction.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a general background with regard to the social and cultural patterns for involving local people to participate in the activities related to awareness raising before, and saving their lives and properties after the earthquakes. It then defines what is required for preparing disaster scenarios.Findings – Prerequisites of comprehensive response plans, to be used in the aftermath of earthquakes in large cities, are discussed.Research limitations/implications – There is a lack of complete information, with regard to various social, and cultural aspects of disaster mitigation, in developing countries, such as Iran.Practical implications – By following the steps mentioned and discussed in the paper for disaster mitigation planning and appl...