URBAN HAZARDS RISK ASSESSMENT: CREATING SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT CITIES

Two case studies are presented: the first one assesses the environmental performance of a single reinforced concrete building under seismic risk; the second assesses the environmental justification for seismic retrofit on a region scale. The results show that, while the expected environmental loss caused by natural hazards is significant, such loss can be effectively reduced by pre-event mitigation; and that the benefits, in terms of reduction in environmental loss, outweigh the environmental impact of the mitigation itself.

It is hoped that this study will serve as a basis for further research aimed at assessing the sustainability of constructed facilities facing natural hazards, and evaluating the environmental value of hazard-mitigation strategies.