The significant increase in urban disasters generated by a rapid population growth and poor planning and the definition of agency actions was discussed in the National Risk Conference for urban environments, organized by National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Response (CNE) and the Costa Rican Red Cross, under the DIPECHO VIII program on November 20, 2012.  

DIPECHO, also known as the Disaster Risk Reduction program supported by the European Commission’s Humanitarian aid and Civil Protection Directorate General (ECHO), aims to improve the capacity of communities exposed to urban disasters to be better prepared and protected. 

The discussions and analysis began with the conceptualization of risk in urban environments intertwined with the definitions of risk previously presented by the National Emergencies Act 8488. At this conference, participants will work on the development of an interagency action plan.

The sprawl of urban growth is increasing the risk of disasters.

The increase in urban growth and risk represents a major concern of governments because the world is experiencing an increase in the number of large cities, but also a dangerous increase in the number of inhabitants. 

Today, there are more than seven billion people around the world and 590 million of them are in the Americas, of which 80% live in large cities. 

The urban risk is driven by population growth, mismanagement, lack of planning in urban development, impact on ecosystems, unfair distribution of wealth, improper construction and lack of land for low-income citizens. 

The meeting brings together some 50 representatives of the CNE, Red Cross, local government and international organizations as well as local municipal officials. 



Urban Risk Scenarios Discussed:

-Accelerated urbanization 
-Density of population and development in high risk areas 
-Sub-standard controls for construction 
-Ecosystem destruction and climate change
-Weak local and national governance