Post Earthquake Reconstruction Regulation by Local Government

Abstract

Decisions regarding reconstruction of earthquake damaged buildings are crucial to the effectiveness of a community's recovery and to its future safety. Two California cities are the focus of a comparison of the formulation and results of reconstruction policies and standards following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The Town of Los Gatos and the City of Oakland are very different in size and demography but suffered similar levels of earthquake damage. The technical content of the repair standards and the methods of administration adopted by these two cities provide a contrast in the way local governments handle these issues in the post-earthquake environment. A summary and comparison of the effectiveness of these standards is provided and recommendations are included for efforts to assist and prepare others to establish effective and balanced post-earthquake reconstruction policy.