Hazard Adaptation (DP IB Geography): Revision Note

Land Use Zoning

Geophysical hazard adaptation

• There are different levels of response to geophysical hazards; these are:

  • Individual 

  • Community

  • National 

  • International

Response and hazard management cycle

• The hazard management cycle is a model that shows how the events of one hazard event inform planning and preparation for the next hazard event

Hazard management cycle

• The response to a hazard will depend on a range of factors, including:

  • Past hazards and experiences

  • Level of development

  • Technology

  • Hazard perception

  • The type and magnitude of the hazard

• Park's model shows hazard response and its link to people's quality of life

Park's model of hazard response

• Increased government planning attempts to mitigate the impacts of hazard events

• Land use planning or zoning is one example of this

What is land use zoning?

• Hazard risk mapping uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas at highest risk

• This is followed by land use zoning to prevent development in these areas

• Planning ensures that valuable services such as the fire service, hospitals and schools are not built in these areas

• Information can also be shared with the population 

• In LICs, rapid urban growth means that illegal settlements may be built in high-risk areas due to a lack of awareness 

Land use zoning in Christchurch, New Zealand

Land use zoning in Christchurch

• The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand led to the creation of red zones

• These are areas that suffered severe damage in both earthquakes

• In the red zones, rebuilding is not permitted

• Properties and land in the red zones were bought by the government: 

  • Approximately 125 households opted to stay (2%) 

  • These households no longer have insurance, postal or bus services

• The land is now managed by Land Information New Zealand (LNZ) and much of it has been turned into parkland 

Personal Resilience

• In addition to government planning, people can take individual and community actions. These include: 

  • Increased preparedness

  • Use of insurance 

  • Adoption of new technology

Increased preparedness

• Drills educate people about what to do during a hazard event. These increase resilience because:

  • People are more likely to take actions that will protect them during and after the event

  • In 2023 over 56.5 million people worldwide participated in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills 

• Building codes

  • Adherence to building regulations when constructing buildings decreases the number of buildings that collapse

  • In LICs people are less likely to follow building regulations due to:

    • Lack of education regarding the importance of building regulations

    • Cost of following building regulations

    • Lack of enforcement of the building regulations

Use of insurance

• Insurance increases resilience because:

  • Payouts are usually faster and larger than government assistance 

  • This increases the speed of recovery and the ability to rebuild/repair

  • It may encourage people to prepare and retrofit buildings to reduce the cost of insurance

Earthquake insurance

• Earthquake insurance covers damage to property and possessions as well as living expenses for temporary accommodation

• Standard insurance does not usually include coverage for earthquake events

• The cost of earthquake insurance increases with the risk:

  • In California the cost is high as the state is located on multiple fault lines

• The cost is also affected by the:

  • Age of the building – newer buildings are built of better materials and can be earthquake-resistant

  • Number of stories – taller buildings are at greater risk of collapse

  • Materials used – wood frames are more flexible and less likely to collapse

  • Foundations – raised foundations and foundations in sandy soil reduce the risk of collapse

• In Japan, residents can claim tax deductions on earthquake insurance, which reduces the cost

Advantages and disadvantages of earthquake insurance