2008 saw one of the greatest number of deaths worldwide from natural disasters. Factors contributing to the high number of deaths include extreme weather brought about by climate change, as well as rapid urbanization in vulnerable areas.
"Myanmar's devastating cyclone and central China's earthquake drove up the annual disaster death toll, causing most of the fatalities and making 2008 one of the deadliest years for natural disasters so far this decade, the United Nations said Thursday. At least 235,816 people lost their lives in 321 disasters around the world last year, said the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that global warming would increase the number of extreme weather events and cause more natural disasters.
Increasing numbers of people living in urban areas increase the risk of deaths when a natural disaster occurs. Environmental degradation and poverty, which exposes poor communities more to natural hazards than better protected wealthier areas, also make it difficult to protect people from disasters."
FULL STORY: 2008 deadly year for natural disasters
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions