Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards in Development Planning

This text covers the early stages of development planning in relation to the inevitable occurrence of natural hazards and their damaging affects. Events such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and wildfires can be devastating to the developments in their proximity. It addresses the importance of planning for both natural and anthropogenic hazards and brings into focus the technical, scientific, economic, political, and social links that should be considered in the earliest stages of development planning. The topic is considered from a financial viewpoint to help economists, lenders, and planners understand the value of initial investment against hazard impact. This prevention by initial investment can result in a better economic yield for investors and a better quality of life for people who work and service projects - thus assuring continuous productivity.