Natural hazard mitigation in Southern California

Contents

Preface........................................................................................................................................... i

Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ ii

1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Natural hazards and the need for mitigation ................................................................ 1

1.2 Research objectives and methodology......................................................................... 2

1.3 Reader’s guide..............................................................................................................3

2. Conceptual framework: literature review.................................................................................4

2.1 Definitions.................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Mitigation measures and their effectiveness................................................................7

2.2.1 Structural mitigation.............................................................................................7

2.2.2 Non-structural mitigation..................................................................................... 8

2.2.3 Awareness projects...............................................................................................9

2.2.4 Hazard disclosure ............................................................................................... 10

2.2.5 Financial policies................................................................................................ 10

2.3 Mitigation and the planning process .......................................................................... 11

2.4 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 13

3. Institutional framework: Mitigation and US Governance...................................................... 15

3.1 Federal government.................................................................................................... 15

3.2 State government........................................................................................................ 19

3.3 Local government.......................................................................................................22

4. Case studies in Southern California ....................................................................................... 24

4.1 Southern California and natural hazard mitigation .................................................... 24

4.2 County characteristics ................................................................................................ 25

4.2.1 Orange County ................................................................................................... 25

4.2.2 Los Angeles County........................................................................................... 26

4.3 Evaluation of mitigation policies in OC and LAC.....................................................27

4.3.1 Evaluation framework........................................................................................ 27

4.3.2 Natural hazard mitigation in Orange County.....................................................27

4.3.3 Natural hazard mitigation in Los Angeles County.............................................29

4.3.4 Evaluation........................................................................................................... 30

4.4 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 33

5. Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 34

Bibliograhpy............................................................................................................................... 36

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