The case for earthquake resilience: why safer structures protect and promote social and economic vitality

This paper describes the risk of earthquake in California; the potential economic impact on local businesses, housing, liabilities and insurance; and the economic benefits of retrofitting buildings to withstand earthquakes.

This paper emphasizes the urgent need to identify and retrofit vulnerable buildings. Legal precedent in California now places liability on building owners and that building owners may be held responsible for a structure’s safety even if local jurisdictions have not passed specific ordinances requiring mitigation of unsafe conditions. The simple fact of knowing a building may be unsafe and not taking action may be grounds enough to assign blame through negligence.