When do local governments reduce risk? Knowledge gaps and a research agenda

Local governments are important actors in achieving the targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (UNDRR 2015). While they play a key role, their level of action on disaster risk reduction varies substantially and the evidence base to explain this variation is limited. This paper reviews three strands of research that improve this evidence base and recommends further research. Data on local government action is generally limited or unavailable, although some survey work has generated valuable insights. Promising theoretical models from the public administration literature could be more strongly applied to disaster risk reduction. Research over the past few decades shows quantitative evidence for a range of factors that influence local government action including disaster events and risk, leadership, political system, advocacy, community characteristics and local government characteristics and resources. Avenues for further data collection, theoretical development and action research are explored.