A rose by any other name—communicating between hazard mitigation, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainability professionals

Abstract

Sustainability calls for massive changes in all sectors which can only be accomplished through collaboration, and yet professionals from related fields still often lack sufficient common ground. Among academics and practitioners, sustainability, hazard mitigation, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction are often thought of as quite different professions, all with unique communities of practice. Yet despite some interdisciplinary efforts and calls to bridge the gaps between these professions, a lot of work remains to connect these groups and promote urban sustainability. It is our responsibility as professionals interested in building sustainability and reducing risk to ask “Why?” When we can find common ground, we will be better able to integrate their approaches to create sustainable cities.