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: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 18 March 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 commodification of environmental risks, as corporations and investors seek to profit from the potential damages caused by natural disasters. For example, insurance companies may charge higher premiums to cities that are considered high-risk for natural disasters, while real estate developers may build in areas that are prone to flooding or landslides.

However, the book argues that capitalist city-building results in the redistribution of risk rather than the management of it. Rather than addressing long-term vulnerabilities, such as climate change or inadequate infrastructure, capitalists rely on short-term fixes to disaster risk. This may include building flood walls or installing emergency response systems, but these solutions often come with their own set of problems and can lead to further environmental degradation.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of technocratic mitigation plans in managing disaster risk. These plans are often developed by experts and policymakers who rely on scientific data and technical solutions to address disaster risks. However, the book argues that these plans can be limited in their effectiveness and may prioritize the interests of corporations and investors over the needs of local communities.

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 critical analysis of the ways in which cities live and profit from the threat of disasters. It highlights the challenges faced by policymakers, builders, and local communities in managing disaster risk and the need for a more sustainable and equitable approach to urban development. By examining the relationship between capitalism, environmental hazards, and urban development, the book offers valuable insights into the ways in which we can build safer and more resilient cities in the face of growing threats.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978820319