Presented by: Dr Mark Pelling, King’s College, London
Date and time: 12:30–14:00 – Thursday 8 May, 2008

Despite over 50% of the global population living in cities, there is little systematic analysis of hazard exposure, loss or adaptation. Climate change and rapid urbanisation have “upped” the stakes with economic and human losses increasing year by year. This seminar will highlight the complex nature of urbanisation with social, economic and environmental processes bringing security for some and risk for others. At heart, urban safety is a question of institutional rather than purely economic development and reform. Local actions to reduce risk and adapt to surprises are commonplace, but need supporting by local and city wide governments to thrive.

Dr. Mark Pelling (King College, London) is a human geographer specialising in the human impact of environmental hazards. He also studies social adaptation to environmental risk, focusing on urban risks and vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. He is currently working on a project examining adaptation to climate change under rapid urbanisation in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. Moreover, he is the chair of the RGS-IBG Climate Change Research Group, a member of the United Nations University Expert Group on Measuring Vulnerability, and of the UK Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change committee. Dr. Pelling is also a policy advisor for the ProVention Consortium, Geneva and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, Bangkok.