NewsWhore
11-06-2007, 05:30 PM
The director of the UN's Secretariat for Disaster Reduction, Silvano Briceno pinpointed land use planning as one of the key ways to avoid human and property losses in the context of natural disasters. Internationally, he has called for disaster preparedness in light of global warming that spells an increase in disasters.
In today's Diario Libre, Ines Aizpun writes about Briceno's observation that many of the tragedies caused by Noel could have been avoided.
"Nobody can prevent a flood from happening, that is clear, but the immensely damaging effects can be mitigated," she writes. "In addition to recommending preventive measures such as better and more timely information, or the organization of victims and refugees, there is talk of land use planning. And that is the key to the issue," she stresses. "We are watching the growth of human settlements, disorderly and chaotic, without planning of minimum services, without any urban planning considerations, along highways and riverbanks. We watch them grow in an uncontrolled way, and we just assume they are part of the landscape. Unfortunately, Villa Altagracia, one of the municipalities most affected by Noel is a clear example of this," she points out.
"The municipal authorities are accomplices. It is not a secret about the difficulties and tolls that they impose on builders and promoters to approve their projects. Some benefit from the disorder and are able to build without having to meet rulings. Others are affected when trying to meet these. There are high-rise buildings in areas where they weren't planned, and complaints from residents that get ignored. Barrios without piped water, constructions along gullies, residents who build on top of streets, with the blessing of the municipal governments".
She concludes: "The political patronage that feeds our political parties is the first obstacle. Who will dare to put order in this chaos? The President says that measures will be taken so that the greater risk zones are not reoccupied. We all want to believe him."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
In today's Diario Libre, Ines Aizpun writes about Briceno's observation that many of the tragedies caused by Noel could have been avoided.
"Nobody can prevent a flood from happening, that is clear, but the immensely damaging effects can be mitigated," she writes. "In addition to recommending preventive measures such as better and more timely information, or the organization of victims and refugees, there is talk of land use planning. And that is the key to the issue," she stresses. "We are watching the growth of human settlements, disorderly and chaotic, without planning of minimum services, without any urban planning considerations, along highways and riverbanks. We watch them grow in an uncontrolled way, and we just assume they are part of the landscape. Unfortunately, Villa Altagracia, one of the municipalities most affected by Noel is a clear example of this," she points out.
"The municipal authorities are accomplices. It is not a secret about the difficulties and tolls that they impose on builders and promoters to approve their projects. Some benefit from the disorder and are able to build without having to meet rulings. Others are affected when trying to meet these. There are high-rise buildings in areas where they weren't planned, and complaints from residents that get ignored. Barrios without piped water, constructions along gullies, residents who build on top of streets, with the blessing of the municipal governments".
She concludes: "The political patronage that feeds our political parties is the first obstacle. Who will dare to put order in this chaos? The President says that measures will be taken so that the greater risk zones are not reoccupied. We all want to believe him."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)