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Abstract
Cities are increasingly becoming hot-spots for nature-originated disasters. While the role of the urban built environment in fostering disaster resilience has been recognized for some time, it has been difficult to translate this potential into practice. This is especially challenging in the case of rapid onset crises such as near-field tsunamis when appropriate urban forms have to support the populations’ ability to autonomously carry out safe and timely responses. In this respect, much of current research remains focused on large-scale elements of urban configuration (streets, squares, parks, etc.) through which people move during an emergency. In contrast, the critical micro-scale of evacuees’ experiences within the built environment is not commonly examined. This paper addresses this shortfall through a macro- and micro-scale analysis of a near-field tsunami scenario affecting the city of Vina del Mar, Chile, including a mixed-methods approach that combines computer-based models and fieldwork. The results show significant macro-scale tsunami vulnerability throughout major areas of the city, which nonetheless could be mitigated by existing nearby high ground and an urban form that allows short evacuation times. However, micro-scale outcomes show comparatively deficient spatial conditions that during an emergency might lead to dangerous outcomes including bottlenecks, falls and panic. Vertical evacuation, in turn, is confirmed as a suitable option for reducing vulnerability, but further examination of each shelter’s characteristics is required.
Highlights
An increasingly urbanized world implies that most responses to rapid onset disasters must be undertaken within the built environment
In the case of near-field tsunamis populations usually must carry out critical response activities in little time and without official guidance, as governmental and emergency services are typically overwhelmed by cascading failures (Little, 2002) brought about by the previous large-magnitude earthquake
This paper discussed the role of urban form as an essential tool for responding to rapid onset tsunamis, by supporting safe and effective evacuations of the population
Summary
An increasingly urbanized world implies that most responses to rapid onset disasters must be undertaken within the built environment. During the 2015 and 2016 Chilean tsunamis) and without official guidance, as governmental and emergency services are typically overwhelmed by cascading failures (Little, 2002) brought about by the previous large-magnitude earthquake. This haste and autonomy requires a city form capable of providing adequate support to evacuees, allowing them safe and timely evacuations. The critical micro-scale elements that are revealed through evacuees’ experiences while they are escaping throughout the built environment are not commonly examined This paper analyses this gap in the Chilean earthquake- and tsunami-prone city of Viña del Mar, by undertaking a mixed-methods approach that includes computerbased models and fieldwork
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