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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