title: Disaster preparedness in a complex urban system: the case of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
abstract: The city is a growing centre of humanitarian concern. Yet, aid agencies, governments and donors are only beginning to comprehend the scale and, importantly, the complexity of the humanitarian challenge in urban areas. Using the case study of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, this paper examines the analytical utility of recent research on complex urban systems in strengthening scholarly understanding of urban disaster risk management, and outlines its operational relevance to disaster preparedness. Drawing on a literature review and 26 interviews with actors from across the Government of Nepal, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, non-governmental organisations, United Nations agencies, and at-risk communities, the study argues that complexity can be seen as a defining feature of urban systems and the risks that confront them. To manage risk in these systems effectively, preparedness efforts must be based on adaptive and agile approaches, incorporating the use of network analysis, partnerships, and new technologies.
authors.affiliation: Former Humanitarian Policy Adviser, British Red Cross, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.affiliation: Executive and Scientific Director, Groupe URD, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grünewald
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055866:Earthquakes; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009390:Nepal; D012011:Red Cross; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014480:United Nations; D014505:Urban Population; D014506:Urban Renewal
keywords: Nepal; complexity; disaster preparedness; risk; urban systems