THE FINAL SECTION! 5. Adjustments and responses to hazards and disasters.

The Spec

Discuss the usefulness of assessing risk before deciding the strategies of adjustment and response to a hazard. Before deciding the best course of action in response to hazard, it is usually necessary to do some kind of ‘risk assessment’ and ‘cost- benefit analysis’.

Cost – Benefit Analysis Individual: An individual should look at the benefit of their house and where they live e.g. how much is their house or land worth and is their income dependent upon their location. They should then look at the costs of defending their property and land. If the benefit of their location is greater than the cost of defending then they should probably stay. When doing this calculation, people should take into account the cost of moving to a new location. Can you think of any case studies where this type of decision might apply??

Government: When governments are deciding whether to protect a settlement, industrial zone or area of land, they will also look at the potential costs and benefits. For a town they will look at the value of the land and property as well as the number of jobs, its contribution to the national economy and taxes paid. They will then look at the costs of protecting the town. Again if the benefits are greater than the costs then they should defend. Cost – Benefit Analysis

Risk Assessment You need to find out what the likelihood of hazard event happening is, how strong it is likely to be and what its likely impacts are. Once you know the likely frequency and magnitude of the hazard you can then plan to how you are going to adjust. “stillness”

Your task Choose 3 of the following photographs. As a representative of the Hong Kong Government, you need to create a Cost- Benefit Analysis and a Risk Assessment to deal with the named hazard type in each location. Even if you know the location (!!) try to think objectively, from a governmental perspective.

Earthquake

Landslide

Storm Surge

H5N1

Wildfire

Chemical Explosion