Background

Experiences of disaster hotspots led to a shift in disaster management paradigm from a response-oriented approach to sustainable hazard mitigation approach. This current thinking is directed towards building community resilience and institutional strengthening in reducing disaster risks. Emergency management is also integrated with hazard and vulnerability assessment to balance the technical as well as social considerations in mitigating risks.

The Cross-Cutting Capacity Development (3CD) Program of EMI was designed to engage and support megacities in the process of implementing disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. The Program also sets a framework for developing a localized capacity building agenda which aims to (1) empower local governments, institutions and communities to plan and deliver DRR program and policies; and (2) mainstream DRR within the day-to-day functions and services of the city, through the development of a sustainable, consensus-based Disaster Risk Management.
The Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Megacities is implemented in the context of the 3CD Program. It shares the same goal of enhancing the city’s efforts to shift the current disaster management processes to pre-event risk reduction orientation through mainstreaming and institutional capacity building efforts. It is currently being pilot tested in Kathmandu, Nepal and in Makati City, Philippines.

Objectives

This pilot project aims to:

1. Strengthen the institutional capacities of Metro Manila and Kathmandu on disaster risk reduction;
2. Mainstream sound DRR practices within their basic local governance functions such as land-use allocations, urban planning, public works, social welfare, and disaster management; and
3. Facilitate the sharing and adaptation of good practices and learning experiences on DRR among disaster-prone cities

Methodology

  Fig. 1. Project Phases of the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction Project

Phase 1. The Project carried out social and physical vulnerability assessment, multi-stakeholder consultations, and document reviews where findings were used to identify the terms of reference (TOR) for the subsequent phases.

Phase 2. In the second phase, the Project undertakes the preliminary steps to land use and urban re/development planning which include situational analysis, site selection and site analysis.  

Phase 3. The last phase will focus on the actual land use and urban re/development planning with the stakeholders in Kathmandu and Nepal. The Project will also integrate sustainable initiatives such as the creation of vital organizational structures.

Areas under Study

The project is being pilot tested in two Asian cities:

1. Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
2. Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Implementing Partners

This project forms part of the MOA signed between the Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge (DKKV) and the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) for the execution of “Mainstreaming Katastrophenvorsorge in Megacities – Pilotprojekt in Metro Manila/ Philippinen und Kathmandu/Nepal.”