Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has become a major area of concern
in the wake of increasing numbers of disasters. With rapid urbanization, both
globally and locally, attention to the challenge of disaster risks has turned to
urban settlements, where high densities and settlement patterns can, and do,
create vulnerabilities. This paper presents an analysis of the hazards and risks
that the town of Karonga in Malawi faces from earthquakes, floods, strong winds
and drought, and considers locally appropriate methods to address these. It also
discusses the limits of collaborative urban planning in this context, especially in
light of the absence of an elected local government. Lessons from Karonga can
inform the development of effective DRR mainstreaming tools in countries reliant
on external support.
Keywords disaster risk / hazards / urban planning / vulnerability