ABSTRACT
Many surprising similarities exist between Jamaica and the San Francisco Bay region, including how landslide information is perceived by decision-makers and the public. A group composed of people from disciplines of geology, engineering, water and transportation, disaster response, development and urban planning, and environmental management were asked to comment on several topics about landslide and land-use issues. The questions and an edited summary of their answers are included below: Their comments demonstrate the potential for real savings in both public and private funds by following prudent land-use planning and mitigation measures. This message, however, needs to be communicated all the way through the decision-making process. This message needs to be both HEARD and UNDERSTOOD, the public must come to BELIEVE the information, and the information must be packaged in a way that individuals can PERSONALIZE the message to ensure that they will indeed TAKE ACTION.
