The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : "Study urban sprawls to avoid vulnerability during disasters"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 01, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

"Study urban sprawls to avoid vulnerability during disasters"

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Scientists and research organisations were urged to take up detailed study and mapping of small and medium towns during a seminar organised as part of National Science Day celebrations at the Structural Engineering Research Centre here on Tuesday.

T. N. Gupta, former executive director of Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council, said urban planners should realise the rapid rate at which cities develop and undertake studies to record the changes and socio-economic vulnerability of communities. The documentation would help reduce "vulnerability" in times of disaster, he said, delivering a lecture on `Natural Disasters: Vulnerability Reduction in Urban Areas.'

"It is a complicated process to divide big cities like Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai into micro zones. So, take up small towns," he suggested.

Authorities should also undertake a `vulnerability analysis' of buildings, especially schools, hospitals and other public spaces, Mr. Gupta said. The National Science Day celebrations comprised a detailed analysis of `Current Trends in Development of Engineering Sciences' by former director TVSR, Appa Rao.

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