Question

how would a high-population density impact the planning efforts for emergency planners and community based stakeholders?

Answer 1

While the intensity of the disaster is important, of greater importance is the presence of a population with a high risk of harm before, during, and after a disaster. Population growth and distribution, especially increased population density, increases the vulnerability to disasters. Factors related to density such as congestion, limited escape routes and dense infrastructure increase the vulnerability. Therefore, emergency planners and community based stakeholders should direct their planning towards developing policies aimed at addressing risk and vulnerability that take into account these differential outcomes of disasters due to population density.