Urban and Megacities Risk: What is at Stake and What Should Be Done?

Large urban conglomerations and megacities are often the centers of political and economic development, wielding tremendous political and economic influence over their country and the region. The disruptions caused by a disaster in any major city will harm large populations both within and far beyond its boundaries. Unfortunately, the planning and development of cities has only given scant consideration to the consequences of hazards such as earthquake, floods, typhoons and others. Eight out of the ten most populous cities in the world can be severally affected by an earthquake, whereas six out of ten are vulnerable to storm surge and tsunami waves.