Reducing Natural Hazard Risks Through State Growth Management

Abstract

State policy designed to stimulate reluctant local governments to take risk reduction actions has mixed results. Incentive and collaborative policies meet with considerable variation in local responses. Direct state regulatory policy is effective in especially high risk areas, but has limited geographic coverage. Planning mandates induce widespread local response to natural hazards, but local implementation varies considerably, with differences in the effects of mandated design features. The article suggests that different regulatory and incentive policy mixes be used to entice local involvement. Policy mixes should be adapted to the differences in local governments' commitment and technical capabilities.