Author: Ana-Maria GLOD-LENDVAI

Abstract: Natural disasters represent a major problem for many big cities. The biggest part of the population is in cities, which makes the concept of urban planning be a significant problem for the decision makers. In this paper, there are presented the results of a comparative analysis of the disaster risk management practices between Bucharest and Ciudad de Mexico in South America; and Istanbul in the euro-Mediterranean region. The analysis shows that all three cities have made considerable efforts regarding the risk analysis, especially in earthquakes. The elements they took into consideration are: the political engagement, identifying risks, the institutions and managing knowledge. Finally, the papers concludes by reasoning that the local authorities must focus more on reducing risks in order to reduce the physical vulnerability and to reach urban durability.

Keywords: disaster risk management, urban hazard risk, urban sustainability, geospatial information systems (GIS), earthquakes, vulnerability.

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