Using the World Housing Encyclopedia to Improve House Earthquake Safety

Abstract eng:
This paper suggests several possible strategies that the World Housing Encyclopedia (WHE) might consider to reduce earthquake risk to housing worldwide. The first strategy can be thought of as a bottom-up approach. In this scenario WHE explicitly attempts to have its encyclopedia and published tutorials more extensively used. It contacts universities in interested countries with ideas and resource material to introduce their students to the challenges associated with improving the seismic resistance of housing. The second suggested approach, where the World Housing Encyclopedia plays a key role, can be considered more of a top-down initiative. It consists of seismic experts in developing countries working in parallel with major international aid and finance agencies to apply pressure on and monitor the extent to which governments encourage and provide seismic resistant housing. Both of these strategies are presented to stimulate discussion. They are not mutually exclusive. There is no disputing the need for action. It is a matter of discerning how the WHE can continue to make a difference. Any suggestions and comments from readers are most welcome.

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