The outcome of Asia's high rate of urbanization has been the expansion of urban populations into geographic areas, which are frequently affected by disaster events. The result is an increased vulnerability of populations and infrastructure.

Disaster mitigation measures such as

• Earthquake and cyclone-resistant buildings and infrastructure,
• Flood and landslide control measures,
• Incorporation of disaster vulnerability into land-use planning, and
• Introduction of regulatory measures in industrialized zones

have rarely been attempted in most Asian countries. Crosscutting issues, which are directly influencing the vulnerability of urban population, such as rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, climate variations, etc., also have contributed negatively to national economies and infrastructure.

Some other such widespread issues are air pollution, shortages in water supply and power generation, destruction of utilities such as power and telecommunication systems, and to lesser magnitude, social conflicts. However there is opportunity for exploitation of higher growth rates associated with urbanization for risk reduction. Increased resources could be made available to integrate risk mitigation into urban planning and city management, generating preparedness and emergency management capacity in urban communities. The ultimate aim of UDRM is to manage and enhance the capacity of cities to reduce disaster risk in an atmosphere of sustainable development, while enhancing the quality of life of urban populations.

Activities undertaken by the Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP) over a period of eight years, have demonstrated the effectiveness of mitigation measures in reducing natural disaster vulnerability. Demonstration projects in nine countries, information dissemination and networking activities, and the Regional training courses on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction, Flood Risk mitigation, Technological Risk Reduction and Urban Disaster Mitigation have convincingly brought to light the opportunities for high impact interventions. City managers and elected municipal officials have responded to initial project activities in selected cities by matching funds to project activities and pledges to incorporate disaster vulnerability considerations into new building and zoning regulations. Change in the professional practices in urban land use planning, building code appliances through the demonstrated commitment of the professionals, construction sector stakeholders and development practitioners also contributed to the success of the program. The activities have also emphasized the challenges of institutionalizing disaster vulnerability awareness at all levels.

Currently a significant demand is apparent for Urban Disaster Risk Management (UDRM), not only in AUDMP target countries but also in other countries in the region. The region demands for expansion of AUDMP activities to improve response, preparedness capacities as well as long-term mitigation activities to reduce the vulnerability. Since the responsibility of implementing and linking diverse activities throughout a vast and diverse region has been bestowed on ADPC, the center has recognized the importance of enhancing the scope of AUDMP through theme action focused on Urban Risk Management. Management. This will become a permanent focus area of ADPC for future endeavor. UDRM theme will continue to facilitate interventions for promotion of local and traditional practices, research and technological transfer, replication of best practices, promotion of innovative solutions, development of, information products to capture experiences for dissemination as well as training and capacity building.

The issue of Urban Disaster risk reduction is based on the success of initiatives undertaken at regional level as well as national to grassroots or community levels with the participation of all stakeholders including vulnerable communities. ADPC wishes to focus on UDRM at the regional level while strengthening the national level institutions through building their capacity.The UDRM interventions are directly related to other urban issues such as governance, poverty alleviation, gender sensitivity, protection of natural resource and environment etc. ADPC believes that by linking them together will enrich the endeavor

VISION

Sufferings of inhabitants, economic and material losses as a result of disasters are prevented, minimized or mitigated while preserving the gains and benefits of the urbanization for building safer urban communities.

MISSION

Urban disaster risk is managed and mitigated by creating an enabling environment through building the capacity of stakeholders, use of information on hazard potential, facilitating structural and non-structural interventions and effective emergency response planning process.

PURPOSE

• To create reactive, receptive, and sensitive urban communities in the region capable of undertaking organized approaches to mitigate and manage disaster risks by transferring information, technical knowledge and skills.
• To advocate for socially acceptable and compatible policies with farsighted community values, legal mechanisms and increased investments to have a effective disaster risk. mitigation mechanisms in place with the view to build safer urban communities in the region
• To become a resource center on urban disaster risk management and a recognized clearing house of information on the subject area.