University of Chicago Press
Building Resilience: Social Capital in Post-Disaster Recovery
Key Metrics
- Daniel P Aldrich
- University of Chicago Press
- Hardcover
- 9780226012872
- 9.2 X 6.2 X 0.8 inches
- 1 pounds
- Social Science > Disasters & Disaster Relief
- English
Secure TransactionBook Description
Each year, natural disasters threaten the strength and stability of communities worldwide. Yet responses to the challenges of recovery vary greatly and in ways that aren't explained by the magnitude of the catastrophe or the amount of aid provided by national governments or the international community. The difference between resilience and disrepair, as Daniel P. Aldrich shows, lies in the depth of communities' social capital. Building Resilience highlights the critical role of social capital in the ability of a community to withstand disaster and rebuild both the infrastructure and the ties that are at the foundation of any community. Aldrich examines the post-disaster responses of four distinct communities--Tokyo following the 1923 earthquake, Kobe after the 1995 earthquake, Tamil Nadu after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and New Orleans post-Katrina--and finds that those with robust social networks were better able to coordinate recovery. In addition to quickly disseminating information and financial and physical assistance, communities with an abundance of social capital were able to minimize the migration of people and valuable resources out of the area. With governments increasingly overstretched and natural disasters likely to increase in frequency and intensity, a thorough understanding of what contributes to efficient reconstruction is more important than ever. Building Resilience underscores a critical component of an effective response.
Author Bio
Daniel P Aldrich is a professor of political science, public policy and urban affairs and a Director of Security and Resilience Studies Program at Northeastern University.
An award winning author, Daniel Aldrich has published five books, more than sixty peer reviewed articles, and written op-eds for The New York Times, CNN, Asahi Shinbun, along with appearing on popular media outlets such as CNBC, MSNBC, NPR, and HuffPost. Aldrich has spent more than five years carrying out fieldwork in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and his research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation, and the Abe Foundation.
Education
- Harvard University, Ph.D., Government 2005
- Harvard University, M.A., Government 2001
- University of California at Berkeley, M.A., Asian Studies 1998
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., Asian Studies 1996
Source: Northeastern University
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