CHAPTER 2 Essential 6: Building Regulations and Land Use Planning
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Essential 6: Building Regulations and Land Use Planning “Apply and enforce realistic, risk-compliant building regulations and land use planning principles. Identify safe land for low income citizens and develop upgrading of informal settlements, wherever feasible.”
According to the Pan American Health Organisation, the cost of a building designed and built to withstand hazards such as earthquakes may increase the total cost of the structure by 1% to 5%. When it comes to certain non-structural elements, the cost savings are dramatic. For example, a severely damaged electric generator could result in the loss of power and cost as much as US$50,000 to replace. This situation could be avoided by installing seismic isolators and braces to prevent the generator from moving, at a cost as low as US$250.
Why? Countries and cities will have safer infrastructure when standards are in place through building codes and regulations. The application of construction codes and mechanisms for planning and monitoring the use of city land is a valuable way to reduce disaster vulnerability and risk from extreme events such as earthquakes, floods, fires, the release of hazardous materials and other phenomena. It is the responsibility of local authorities to monitor their application, compliance and follow up. Using resilient design standards and land use planning is cost effective when compared to relocation and/or retrofitting unsafe buildings (a cost/benefit ratio of 4 to 1).
What?? Enforcement of and compliance with risk-sensitive building codes and regulations • Ensure that municipal regulations and laws include building codes that set standards for location, design and construction to minimise disaster risk and ensure enforcement by investing in building capacity of local officials, increasing public awareness and using motivational means to increase compliance. • Ensure adequate clarity about differences in building regulations for critical public infrastructure, engineered buildings and more simple and accessible guidelines for smaller non-engineered homes.