EARTHQUAKE RISK REDUCTION - AN EXAMINATION OF LOCAL REGULATORY EFFORTS

We develop an understanding of local governmental efforts to address e arthquake risks. Our data for a sample of California and Washington ci ties' risk-reduction efforts sort into two different clusters of leadi ng jurisdictions as contrasted with a cluster of lagging jurisdictions . We explain differences among the three categories of cities in terms of different political-economic factors. Local governmental willingne ss and ability to undertake risk-reduction programs have more to do wi th local political demands and community resources than with objective risk or previous earthquake experience. State mandates have a selecti ve impact on local risk-reduction efforts. The principal policy lesson s concern the need to address gaps in local risk-reduction efforts thr ough more careful targeting of federal and state earthquake programs a nd by including stronger teeth within state mandates.