Of Rainfalls and Disasters

Disasters associated with natural phenomena, such as earth­quakes, floods, droughts, etcetera, are intensifying damages that translate into deaths, the loss of infrastructure, and the interruption of economic activities. The accelerated growth of cities frequently incorporates new areas that are susceptible to certain hazards, leaving society increasing­ly exposed, due to a mismanagement of land. Since the 1990s, the social sciences have developed the approach of vulnerability, which considers the conditions of weakness of a society to cope with hazards. We now know that risk is socially constructed, and so disasters are not only a result of the intensity of the geophysical phenomena that un­leash them, but also of the contexts of vulnerability present when a phenomenon takes place.

The aim of this work is to show how the risk of flood disasters is constructed in Tijuana, Baja California, with four main elements as our starting point: An examina­tion of floods since the late 19th century; the voice of the actors present for flooding events; a theoretical model to understand the relationship between the hazard and the magnitude of the risk; and recommendations for disaster risk management at a local level.

Foreword

Introduction

Disasters as Seen by the Social Sciences and the Social Construction of Risk

Rains and Floods in the Urban Context of Tijuana

The Social Context of Disasters in Tijuana

The Voices of Local Actors and Risk Adaptation Practices

The Disaster Risk Model for Floods

Disaster Risk Management for Rains and Floods

Conclusions

Annex

References

About the Author