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The Effects of Natural Disaster on Community Resilience

There are many factors that can impact on the ability of a community to handle external and internal stressors, though arguably none so much as natural disasters. In the wake of the 2011 Queensland floods, numerous studies on social cohesion, wellbeing, and adaptation have taken the opportunity to explore the link between these important benchmarks of community resilience, and how they have been impacted by this devastating natural disaster.

Natural Disasters and Their Planning Responses

Environmental attributes are key factors in determining land-use. Level topography is sought for industrial purposes, while ridgelines are desired for their vistas. Contrasting these incentives are the disincentives of low-lying lands periodically flooding and vegetation fuelling bushfire. In the same way as the aftermath of a road accident reminds us to drive more carefully, natural disasters remind us of these disincentives.

Is a natural disaster, a disaster? A planner’s perspective

The opportunity that’s in front of us as a city is absolutely enormous. To have the scale of the devastation, which has come at a great price to our people and our city, but as the basis of a chance to rebuild is something absolutely extraordinary’

- Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker on the earthquake of 2011

 

A natural disaster: one of man’s greatest threats, with the ability to wipe away urbanisation in any place, any time, in any form. Loss of life, livelihood and liveliness in the blink of an eye, it can have devastating effects leaving only desolation and destruction. As planners we are presented with the unique chance to recover, redevelop and recreate in a more resilient way better than ever before.  But exactly how has this opportunity come about? The answer: through ways in which planners have found the positive from a negative situation. New Orleans and Christchurch, both struck, both fell, but now both stronger due to strategic planning underpinned by community resilience, innovation and techniques of preparation in which a city can use to reduce the risk of a repeat.

Christchurch earthquake 2011