Dynamics of Disaster

Disasters are the result of complex interactions between social and natural forces, acting at multiple scales from the individual and community to the organisational, national and international level. Effective disaster planning, response and recovery require an understanding of these interacting forces, and the role of power, knowledge and organisations. This book sheds new light on these dynamics, and gives disaster scholars and practitioners new and valuable lessons for management and planning in practice. The authors draw on methods across the social sciences to examine disaster response and recovery as viewed by those in positions of authority (Part I) and the 'recipients' of operations (Part II). These first two sections examine cases from Hurricane Katrina, while Part III compares this to other international disasters to draw out general lessons and practical applications for disaster planning in any context. The authors also offer guidance for shaping institutional structures to better meet the needs of communities and residents.

Rachel A. Dowty is an assistant professor at Louisiana State University's (LSU's) Department of Geography and Anthropology and Co-Director of LSU's Disaster Science and Management (DSM) Program in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Barbara L. Allen is an associate professor and the director of the graduate program in Science, Technology and Society (STS) at Virginia Tech's Washington DC area campus.