Communities and Ecosystems

by Yasemin Aysan (Author), Ian Davis (Editor)

This book contains the proceeding of the conferences on Disasters and the Small Dwelling, held at Oxford in September 1990. The 26 papers cover recent experiences of post-disaster shelter and housing provision, review what has been achieved, what needs disseminating and implementing, and assesses what needs further development. The volume thus defines an international agenda to achieve safer low-income dwellings in the course of the 1990s, designated International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction by the UN. It will be essential reading for anyone - whether governmental or non-governmental agency officials, academic researchers, representatives of private industry or consultants - whose work involves analysis, shelter, mitigation and reconstruction programmes for low-income dwellings in disaster-prone areas.

by Kenneth Blonski (Author), Cheryl Miller (Author), Carol L. Rice (Author)

A unique guide to solutions and strategies for managing fire at the urban edge. Offers analytical tools and comprehensive summaries not found in other manuals dealing with fire mitigation. Designed as a reference, Managing Fire in the Urban Wildland Interface provides information on codes and laws and includes case studies, tables, figures, suggested websites, and other source material. Draws on best practices from California, with lessons applicable nationwide.

Equally useful to state, federal and local agency staff and officials, fire agency staff, attorneys, architects, landscape architects, property owners, developers, insurance company managers, and business and community leaders. Topics include: Key federal, state, and local provisions for managing urban wildland interface fires; Completing a fire threat assessment and developing a plan; Implementing the best solutions for your community; Community awareness and ignition prevention; Design solutions for new and existing residential development, roads, utilities, structural design and materials, and landscaping; Emergency service response; Critical challenges, including environmental challenges, vested interests, human behavior, and funding; Managing Fire in the Urban Wildland Interface has been recognized by the major planning associations in California, as winner of the 2011 Education Award from the APA (American Planning Association)-California Northern Section and 2011 Outstanding Environmental Resource Document Award from the 2011 California Chapter of AEP (Association of Environmental Professionals).

by Helen Beaglehole (Author)

Gripping and fascinating, this illustrated account explores a previously unstudied yet important aspect of New Zealand’s history: its wildfires. Examining the terrible fires that devastated the country as both Maori and European settlers wrested a livelihood from the land, this book explains the European mentality behind the fires and the resulting vocal arguments against the terrible loss of valuable resources. Based on historical records and oral interviews with employees of the State Forest Service, it also offers a comprehensive look into the approaches and techniques involved in tackling this phenomenon—including the efforts of rural firefighters from the shovel and bucket brigade and those of the firemen and women who form a huge, largely volunteer network