Unit 3 Unit 3 Urban Territory – Natural Urban Territory – Natural

HazardHazard

Living in a City at RiskLiving in a City at Risk

How do people Cope?How do people Cope?

When is a city “subject to disaster?”When is a city “subject to disaster?” Life is full of risks!Life is full of risks! We do our best to reduce these We do our best to reduce these

risksrisks

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When is a city “subject to When is a city “subject to hazard”?hazard”? A city is subject to hazard when its A city is subject to hazard when its

population is threatenedpopulation is threatened Examples of events that can threaten Examples of events that can threaten

our lives: our lives: a)a)An earthquakeAn earthquakeb)b)A warA warc)c)An epidemic/pandemic An epidemic/pandemic d)d) An explosion at a nuclear plant An explosion at a nuclear plant

These events are hazards These events are hazards because they can result in the because they can result in the following:following:1.1. DeathDeath

2. 2. Property damage Property damage Neighbourhoods and infrastructure are Neighbourhoods and infrastructure are

destroyeddestroyed

3. 3. Economic lossesEconomic losses Jobs are affected if a wild fire destroys Jobs are affected if a wild fire destroys

an industrial park (If a GM plant burns an industrial park (If a GM plant burns to the ground due to a wildfire…the to the ground due to a wildfire…the employees are out of a job)employees are out of a job)

4. Environment is damaged (degradation) 4. Environment is damaged (degradation) Wild fire destroys acres of forestsWild fire destroys acres of forests

What is a natural hazard?What is a natural hazard?

It’s the danger that certain phenomena It’s the danger that certain phenomena represent for people and propertyrepresent for people and property

The word natural implies that nature is the causeThe word natural implies that nature is the cause

A natural phenomenonA natural phenomenon

A volcanic eruption is an example of a A volcanic eruption is an example of a natural phenomenonnatural phenomenon

If no humans live near this region then it If no humans live near this region then it is not a hazard because there is no riskis not a hazard because there is no risk

If the region is inhabited by people then If the region is inhabited by people then possibility of a volcanic eruption becomes possibility of a volcanic eruption becomes an issue because it constitutes a risk an issue because it constitutes a risk

The event is called a natural disaster if The event is called a natural disaster if the volcano erupts and causes death and the volcano erupts and causes death and damage to propertydamage to property

Are there risk-free Are there risk-free territories?territories? All territories are at risk All territories are at risk

Some cities are more at risk than others Some cities are more at risk than others and may be threatened by more than one and may be threatened by more than one natural hazard natural hazard

Montreal experienced an Montreal experienced an ice storm ice storm in 1998 in 1998 and faces and faces extreme cold extreme cold during the winterduring the winter

Why do people continue living in Why do people continue living in big cities subject to natural big cities subject to natural disasters? disasters? Good economy (jobs in mining, Good economy (jobs in mining,

trade, agriculture etc.)trade, agriculture etc.) People are attached to places, People are attached to places,

friends, family (sense of belonging)friends, family (sense of belonging) Do not have the means (money) to Do not have the means (money) to

leave or possibility of living leave or possibility of living elsewhereelsewhere

All territories involve some degree All territories involve some degree of riskof risk

Inequality in the face of Inequality in the face of natural hazardsnatural hazards

Wealthy nations, like the United States, Wealthy nations, like the United States, inject lots of money to provide its citizens inject lots of money to provide its citizens with prevention programs for all types of with prevention programs for all types of natural hazardsnatural hazards

Reconstruction and economic recovery is Reconstruction and economic recovery is much more faster than in poorer countriesmuch more faster than in poorer countries

Since poorer nations are ill-equipped to face Since poorer nations are ill-equipped to face natural disasters, the basic needs, such as natural disasters, the basic needs, such as finding food and shelter, are not met finding food and shelter, are not met