CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FOR DISASTER PREVENTION AND RESPONSE

Disasters, both natural and human-caused, have been occurring with increasing frequency and effect in recent decades in many countries around the world. They have had a disproportionately heavy toll on developing countries both in terms of loss of lives and damage to property. The need to take action to effectively manage disasters has been highlighted at many major international conferences and measures are underway in many countries and at the international level. The developing countries are less able to deal with the causes and impacts of disasters. It is important to develop the construction industries of the poorer nations in order to equip them to manage disasters. This paper considers how this can be done. It starts by providing examples of recent disasters and their impact on human settlements. It then considers the role construction can play in disaster management. Following a review of current initiatives, some recommendations for further action are presented. Construction industry; disaster management, reconstruction management; technical