Mainstreaming land use planning into disaster risk management: Trends in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Abstract Mainstreaming land-use planning into disaster risk management (DRM) is a vital process for the safeguarding and resilience of communities. Since developing countries are most vulnerable to disasters because of the strong presence of informal settlements with high level risk exposure to hazards, this research analyzes the periphery of Lima city due to its economic indicators with major societal/human impacts. For this, the two case studies of Independence and Lurigancho-Chosica municipalities have been analyzed through the lens of DRM integration into land-use planning. The results show that both municipalities have addressed hazard, exposure, and vulnerability and have elaborated land-use planning proposals on account of technical and financial support from other organizations. However, they tend not to properly implement and monitor DRM because of several urban governance issues and the lack of comprehension among local authorities regarding the significance of DRM as a tool to address challenges and vulnerabilities. The research concludes with trends and lessons as well as recommendations for Lima and other developing cities with similar patterns of segregation. Therefore, strengthening land-use planning would highly improve urban governance and long-term planning in communities while raising awareness in the DRM approach.