Comparative study on disaster vulnerability assessment of big cities in developing countries

Abstract

The purpose of this study, which was carried out as a part of the activity of the National Communittee for IDNDR of Japan, was to elucidate the characteristics of seismic vulnerability of urban areas in developing countries. Due to the rapid growth of population and the vulnerable nature of built environment, urban areas in less developed countries form a hotbed of serious losses in human, property and economic aspects, both direct and indirect. We conducted this study taking the viewpoint of comparison among urban areas worldwide, including those in civilized countries. We selected Manila, Mexico City, Ankara, San Francisco, Wellington, and Tokyo as our intensive case study areas.