ABSTRACT
The title of and basic idea behind this book are not new to the world of
disaster and development scholars, but have demanded further
interpretation and consolidation. Much of the content of this book points
to opportunities for mitigating the impact of critical hazards through
vulnerability reduction. Perspectives on the links between disaster and
development have moved on from simply combining relief and
development activities, to include interpretations at the personal,
community, institutional and international levels. A strong focus of
disaster and development studies surrounds the concept of ‘avoidance’:
that is, prevention of disaster through development and better
development through disaster reduction. Out of this stem a collection of
key themes and conditions that will remain in high demand, including
sustainability, coping, adaptation, resilience, security and wellbeing.
