Seismic hazard, flooding, and building vulnerability in coastal areas
Implementing Partner: Build Change
Project Name: Seismic hazard, flooding, and building vulnerability in coastal areas in the Dominican Republic
Hispaniola, positioned between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, faces severe seismic risks alongside climate challenges like cyclones, rising sea levels, and heavy rainfall, particularly in coastal areas.
This project evaluated building structures in the Dominican Republic’s Southern Municipality, many constructed with outdated or no seismic codes.
It recommends incorporating energy dissipators in frames to improve earthquake resilience and identifies flood-prone zones to support proactive risk management and infrastructure adaptation efforts.
cyclones
Impact
1
The study revealed that 37% of analyzed buildings exhibited high seismic vulnerability, highlighting major structural deficiencies in informal construction and the absence of proper building practices, emphasizing the urgent need for improved seismic safety measures.
2
The study found that homes encroaching into natural channels worsened flooding issues, increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. This highlights the need for improved urban planning and sustainable land use to mitigate disaster risks in affected areas.
3
The study supports updates to outdated or missing building codes by offering evidence-based structural improvements and risk mapping. This approach enhances safety and resilience, ensuring more robust infrastructure in coastal regions vulnerable to natural hazards.
