Risky Cities: The Physical and Fiscal Nature of Disaster Capitalism

Risky Cities explores the relationship between global urban development, capitalism, and environmental hazards, focusing on how cities live and profit from the threat of sinkholes, garbage, and fire. It also examines how disaster capitalism has commodified environmental bads and managed risks, resulting in the physical transformation of nature and the redistribution of risk through short-term fixes rather than long-term vulnerabilities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Over half the world's population now lives in urban regions, a trend that is expected to continue to grow. With this shift comes an increased concern for disasters, as city dwellers, policymakers, and builders are all affected by the potential impacts of natural and human-made disasters. However, disaster risk is not only a concern for these groups; corporations, financiers, and investors also have a keen interest in understanding and managing these risks.

Risky Cities: A Critical Examination of Global Urban Development, Capitalism, and its Relationship with Environmental Hazards is a book that delves into this complex issue. It explores how cities live and profit from the threat of sinkholes, garbage, and fire, examining the ways in which disaster capitalism has commodified environmental bads and managed risks. The book goes beyond simply discussing post-catastrophe profiteering and focuses on the broader implications of capitalist city-building on the environment.

One of the key themes of the book is the physical transformation of nature that occurs as cities grow and develop. This transformation often leads to the creation of new risks and vulnerabilities, as natural ecosystems are disrupted and human activities increase. To manage these risks, risk management strategies such as insurance, environmental assessments, and technocratic mitigation plans are employed. However, the book argues that these strategies often rely on short-term fixes to disaster risk rather than addressing the underlying long-term vulnerabilities.

As cities continue to grow and develop, the need for effective disaster risk management becomes increasingly important. This requires a comprehensive approach that considers both the social and environmental aspects of urban development. It also requires a shift towards more sustainable and resilient urban planning practices that can help mitigate the impacts of disasters and promote long-term economic and social growth.

In conclusion, Risky Cities: A Critical Examination of Global Urban Development, Capitalism, and its Relationship with Environmental Hazards is a thought-provoking book that provides a valuable insight into the complex relationship between urban development, capitalism, and environmental hazards. It highlights the ways in which cities live and profit from the threat of disasters, while also emphasizing the need for effective risk management strategies that promote sustainable and resilient urban planning practices. By understanding these issues, policymakers, builders, and citizens can work together to create more resilient and sustainable cities that are better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978820302